NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
California Non-Resident CCW
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Until 2025, non-California residents were ineligible to obtain licenses to carry (LTCs). While California still does not recognize any other state's CCW, a federal court decision in CRPA v. LASO finally granted a path for non-California to apply for and receive California-issued LTCs. This takes effect beginning Tuesday, April 22, 2025; 90 days after the court order was issued (Jan. 22, 2025). You may not apply until 4/22/2025.
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California has been required by the court to make certain accommodations to it's application and approval process for non-residents. There are some major prerequisites for application, however. You must have "standing" by being a member of a plaintiff organization in the lawsuit and have a good faith expectation of visiting the jurisdiction you apply to in the next year.
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You must be a member of one of the organizations that are plaintiffs to the suit:
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California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA)
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Gun Owners of America (GOA)
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Gun Owners of California
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Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)
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Note that the NRA is not a plaintiff and their membership does not count. You must be an active member. You can join at any time; you did not have to be a member at the time of litigation to apply, only that you are a member at the time of application. Membership verification may vary by agency, but it would be wise to retain any membership cards, letters, emails, and receipts.
PC sections 26150(a)(3) and 26155(a)(3) regarding applying to the city/county where you live or work do not apply to non-resident applicants. You must apply to the sheriff or chief in a jurisdiction (city or county) that you actually in good faith intend to visit (“spend time”) in the next year (next 12 months). For instance, if you have relatives living in Yolo County that you visit regularly, you could apply in Yolo County. If you have a Disneyland trip planned, you could apply in Orange County. This means that you can apply to any sheriff/chief in a county or city that you intend to visit (in good faith), allow you to choose more CCW-friendly jurisdictions. Note that the order doesn’t stipulate what actually constitutes spending time; arguably this could include getting gas.
If a separate non-resident application is not available, the standard California Concealed Handgun License application or online portal is permitted. Non-California information, such as your driver license number, would simply be substituted for your appropriate state.
Your driver’s license or ID card from another state is a valid substitution for a California driver’s license or identification card. If it does not show your current address, you may use other “reliable documentation” such as a current utility bills, a current out-of-state CCW, etc. with your correct address. A standard FBI fingerprint card is acceptable for non-resident applicants. Livescan is not mandated.
The interview portion can be completed virtually via video call. If a psychological examination is required by your issuing agency, it may either be conducted virtually via video call or by an approved examiner within 75 miles of your residence. Psychological examinations are not required by all agencies, so research carefully. Californian's must register where they live, so they are not allowed the choice of "shopping" for a better jurisdiction as non-residents can.
You still must complete California training. Any CCW qualification you had in other states does not count. You will not receive credit for it. The training process is two-step; an education online portion and a live-fire portion. If an online course is not approved by your issuing agency, online training courses approved by any other local issuing agency are acceptable. You must qualify with each gun you intend to carry in the live-fire portion. You must inform the agency of the course beforehand and they shall either approve or suggest a different course within 75 miles of your residence.
26150(a)(5), 26155(a)(5), and 26162 do not apply to nonresident applicants. You will list on the application the make, model, and serial number of the handguns you wish to carry. Note that in California you have to list and qualify with each separate handgun. Some authorities only allow you to add new firearms at the renewal period.
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While the guns do not need to be “on roster” models, they have to be otherwise legal to carry in California. Most ordinary concealed carry/self-defense handguns meet this criteria inherently.
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You cannot carry magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
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You cannot use a pistol with a threaded barrel.
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Your gun does not need to be listed on the California Handgun Roster; this applies to new dealer sales only, not personal possession.
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Individual agencies may have their own rules on what kind of handguns (including accessories) you can carry; check with the agency before applying. Lasers are often prohibited, as well as some less-common calibers.
You may bring in your own ammo from out-of-state. The PC 30314 ammo importation prohibition only applies to California residents. California does not prohibit hollow point or other common types of handgun ammunition.
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Upon approval, your non-resident license will be mailed to you. Once issued to you, California law regarding where and how you can carry your firearm applies. This is generally the same procedure in every state where local laws apply.
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