SAF Settlement Ends Contra Costa Limits on Red Dots, Lights and 1911s

The Second Amendment Foundation has settled its lawsuit with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office over concealed carry equipment rules, USA Carry reports. As SAF describes the deal, county license holders may now carry pistols with optics or lights, as well as 1911- and 2011-style models.

Key points

• What was banned: County CCW licensees could not carry handguns fitted with red-dot sights or weapon-mounted lights, and single-action 1911- and 2011-style pistols were barred entirely.
• What changes: According to SAF, the Sheriff's Office will drop all three restrictions and revise its concealed carry web page within 10 days.
• What stays: Applicants still must pass range qualification for any listed firearm, and current licensees who add an optic or light may have to show the gun for inspection and qualify with it.
• No ruling: Because the county settled, no court ruled on whether the bans were constitutional. USA Carry notes the agreement itself was not available, so its account relies on SAF's description.
• SAF's view: Kostas Moros, SAF's director of legal research and education, said a sheriff cannot create "a shorter list of approved handguns" than the Constitution permits.

Quick take

USA Carry's Luke McCoy calls the outcome narrow, since it covers one county and one equipment list and leaves no court opinion to cite elsewhere, but says it is a win permit holders will notice. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut said the group has more than a dozen lawsuits pending in California.

Read the full story at USA Carry.