California Opens CCW Application Process to Nonresidents Starting April 23

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LOS ANGELES, CA — In a major development for nonresident gun owners, the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) has announced that out-of-state residents will soon be able to apply for a California concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit. This change, effective April 23, 2025, follows legal pressure from CRPA and its allies in the lawsuit CRPA v. LASD, which challenged the state’s refusal to recognize concealed carry rights for nonresidents.

Although the court declined to mandate full reciprocity—meaning California still does not recognize CCW permits issued by other states—the judge ruled that nonresidents must be allowed to apply for a California CCW. The new process was negotiated between gun rights groups and the California Department of Justice (DOJ), and includes several specific requirements for applicants:

1. Membership Requirement: Applicants must be a member of CRPA, the Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, or Gun Owners of California.
2. Jurisdictional Application: Applicants must apply through the sheriff or police chief of a California county or city they intend to visit within the next 12 months. Each jurisdiction may have different processing times, requirements, and fees.
3. Application Portal: Most departments offer online CCW application portals. Nonresidents may enter their home state’s driver’s license or ID number in place of a California-specific ID.
4. Residency Verification: Applicants must provide proof of current residence, such as a state-issued ID with current address, utility bills, or a home-state CCW permit.
5. Remote Interviews and Fingerprinting: The required police interview may be conducted via video, and fingerprints may be submitted by mail using FBI Form FD-258.
6. Training Requirements: Applicants must complete a 16-hour training course. While local departments have approved instructor lists, online courses approved by any department in California are also acceptable.
7. Live-Fire Qualification: Applicants must qualify with each handgun they intend to carry. Local departments must approve live-fire instructors within 75 miles of the applicant’s residence or provide alternatives.
8. Psychological Exam: Some jurisdictions require psychological evaluations. These may be done virtually unless an in-person provider is available within 75 miles. CRPA advises avoiding departments that mandate this due to additional costs.
9. Compliance with California Gun Laws: Carried handguns must comply with California law—including restrictions on threaded barrels and magazine capacity limits (10 rounds or fewer).
10. Restricted Locations: Even with a valid permit, carry is prohibited in certain “sensitive places.” Some SB2 restrictions have been blocked, but others remain in effect.

Once approved, nonresident CCW permits will be mailed to the applicant’s provided address.

This is a significant step for gun owners nationwide who wish to lawfully carry while visiting California. While the application process remains complex compared to most other states, CRPA succeeded in ensuring it can be completed remotely without requiring travel to California.

CRPA and its partners continue to fight for full reciprocity, aiming to simplify this process further and ensure that constitutional rights do not stop at state lines. Gun owners are encouraged to support CRPA’s ongoing legal efforts as the battle for Second Amendment rights in California continues.