California Concealed Carry: Laws and Reciprocity

by | State Reciprocity and Restrictions

Last updated on February 6th, 2019 at 04:00 pm

California is one of the strictest states regarding the carrying of firearms, and as such does not have reciprocity with any other state. However, they do allow residents to acquire a permit to carry a concealed weapon if they meet the appropriate criteria. Applicants for a concealed carry must be 18 years of age and have firearms training. Generally speaking, open carry is not permitted in the state of California, and any recipient of a permit to carry concealed is subject to any restrictions placed upon the license. The cost for a concealed carry license is $100, can take upwards of 90 days, and is valid for 2 years.

This information was last updated in December 2018.

California Concealed Carry By The Numbers

Average Cost in Dollars

# of States That Accept CA License

# of Years Valid

Minimum Age*

# of Days To Get A Permit

Reciprocity Map for California

Use the tabs below to display states that will accept an California concealed carry permit or those states that California will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.

States That Honor California Concealed Carry
  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  3. Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  4. Arkansas
  5. Idaho
  6. Indiana
  7. Iowa
  8. Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  9. Kentucky
  10. Michigan
  11. Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  12. Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  13. Montana
  14. Nebraska
  15. New Hampshire
  16. North Carolina
  17. Ohio
  18. Oklahoma
  19. South Dakota
  20. Tennessee
  21. Texas
  22. Utah
  23. Vermont
  24. Virginia
  25. West Virginia
  26. Wisconsin
California Will Honor The Following States

California does not recognize concealed carry permits from other states.

How To Apply for a California Concealed Carry License

Can I get a concealed carry permit in California?
California is a may issue state. The state is fractured and some counties are considered shall issue, while others will not issue a concealed carry permit. Unfortunately, you must check with the Sheriff’s department of the county in which you are applying to see if they will process applications for a CCW.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26150

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26155

What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in CA?
California states that a minor shall not possess a firearm. Therefore, the minimum age of an individual who is applying for a concealed carry permit is 18.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-9-1-29610

Section FAM-11-1-6500

Who issues a concealed carry permit in California?
Residents of California should apply with the Sheriff of the county (or city therein) in which they reside or the Sheriff of the county (or city therein) where they are employed to obtain a concealed permit. However, there are other requirements to obtain a concealed carry permit. Most notably, the applicant must prove “Good cause exists for issuance of the license.”

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26150

How long is a California concealed carry permit good for?
Depending on the type of permit you are applying for, the duration of validity varies. However, the CCW is valid for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of issuance.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26220

Does California issue concealed permits to non-residents?
According to the statutes, California does not issue non-resident permits. Furthermore, even a change of address requires notification and amendment of the CCW within 10 days of the change.

“The applicant is a resident of the county or a city within the county, or the applicant’s principal place of employment or business is in the county or a city within the county and the applicant spends a substantial period of time in that place of employment or business.”

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26150

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26210

How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
According to the below code, the licensing authority will provide written notice of approval or denial within 90 days of submitted application, or within 30 days of the completion of the background check from the DOJ whichever is later.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26205

How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
California statutes are a bit convoluted. Various “not to exceed” fee language abounds. However the following excerpt indicates that the fee shall not exceed $100 for the issuance of a CCW.

“[…]in no case to exceed one hundred dollars ($100), and shall transmit the additional fee, if any, to the city, city and county, or county treasury”

A full description of the fees associated with concealed carry permits can be found by visiting the relevant code section below.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26190

What are the accepted forms of competency training?
In addition to other requirements, California does require proof of training prior to issuing a concealed carry permit. The requirements for new applicants are outlined in the following excerpt:

“[…]any course acceptable to the licensing authority, shall not exceed 16 hours, and shall include instruction on at least firearm safety and the law regarding the permissible use of a firearm.”

Furthermore, renewal applicants are required to have training that is no less than four hours. There is no indication of whether online courses are sufficient only that they be acceptable to the licensing authority.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26165

Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in California

Is California an Open Carry State?
California is not an open carry state. The following statute makes it clear that openly carrying a firearm is a crime.

“A person is guilty of carrying a loaded firearm when the person carries a loaded firearm on the person or in a vehicle while in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated city or in any public place or on any public street in a prohibited area of unincorporated territory.”

However, under certain circumstances a person may openly carry, but the Sheriff of the county must issue a license to do so.

“Where the population of the county is less than 200,000 persons according to the most recent federal decennial census, a license to carry loaded and exposed in only that county a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.”

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-5-3-2-25850

Section PEN-6-4-5-4-26150

Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
California permits any person of legal age to carry a firearm in their vehicle provided it is kept in a locked container, or locked with a locking device which renders the firearm inoperable. It is worth noting that this does not include “utility or glove compartment.” Furthermore, any person with a concealed carry permit may carry a loaded firearm in their vehicle.

Relevant Code(s):

Section PEN-6-4-4-25100

Section PEN-6-1-2-16850

Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
Yes, California allows persons with a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm into a game refuge. However, certain parks may have special limitations on the carrying of firearms. Generally speaking carrying of firearms are prohibited by California Code of Regulations 4313. However, further explanation can be found on the California Parks page, here, under the weapons section. Below are links to the referenced codes on that page.

Relevant Code(s):

Section FGC-7-1-1-10500

Section PEN-6-4-5-3-4-25900

Section PEN-6-4-5-3-4-26010

Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
Yes, the state of California does not reference establishments that serve alcohol as prohibited to those with a CCW permit in the Penal code. However, the application does state that while carrying concealed the licensee will refrain from consuming alcohol or carrying in an establishment whose primary purpose is dispensing alcohol for on site consumption.

It is recommended that you should follow any posted signage. But more importantly, abide by any restrictions placed upon your CCW by the issuing authority.

Relevant Code(s):

N/A

Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Yes, California Penal code does not currently list places of worship as prohibited locations for carrying concealed if you have a CCW. However, it is always recommended that you follow any posted signage even if it does not carry the weight of the law. Also, pay attention to any restrictions placed on the CCW by the issuing authority.

Relevant Code(s):

N/A

Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Yes, financial institutions are not expressly listed in the California Penal code as locations where carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited with proper licensure. However, you must obey any restrictions place on the CCW and it is recommended that you heed any posted signage designating a location as gun free.

Relevant Code(s):

N/A

Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Yes, hospitals are not expressly forbidden places to carry a concealed weapon as long as you are licensed to do so. However, it is recommended that you follow any posted signage that prohibits firearms on the premises.

Relevant Code(s):

N/A

The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.

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