I get a lot of calls regarding people being arrested for firearm violations. One of the most common gun charges in the state of California is the violation of PC 25400, which is the crime of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. This violation applies to both having concealed a firearm on your person or in a vehicle.
A wobbler offense, meaning it can be either a felony or misdemeanor, an individual can receive up to a year in jail and a thousand dollar fine if charged with a misdemeanor, with these charges increasing to up to ten thousand dollars and three years in local prison (generally served in county jail) if convicted of a felony.
Besides the potential jail time, fines and probation, an individual can lose their gun rights for an extended period of time or for a lifetime for a felony conviction and even confiscation and destruction of your firearm.
Please be mindful, this charge is often avoidable. Permits to carry a concealed weapon are available to those eligible who apply. They are issued by police chiefs or sheriffs, depending on your location in the state and where you live.
Requirements for obtaining a CCW permit are:
- Be at least 21 years of age when applying for the permit.
- Be a resident or worker in the county or city that you are applying to get a permit.
- You must own and have a qualifying firearm registered to you.
- Not have any disqualifying factors such as prior felony convictions, specific misdemeanors, mental health adjudications, or restraining orders.
- Complete a 16 hour, in person court approved training course, (8 hour training for every renewal)
- Be of good moral character; be crime-free, have stable finances, trustworthy and truthful.
- Undergo a state and federal background check and fingerprint scan
- Depending on the issuing agency and county, psychological testing could be required
For residents living in Ventura County and wanting to obtain a CCW, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department issues such permits. See www.sheriff.venturacounty.gov for more information.
Contact both your local sheriff or police department to get the most comprehensive information on how to apply and what is required to get approved. Different agencies have different specific forms and procedures to get approved.
Obtaining a CCW permit is a very meticulous process, with residents in some areas of California averaging six months to a year to receive approval. There are fees and costly training involved as well. This deters many from people starting the process and can make them inclined to carry their firearm without a permit. Don’t make this mistake. The benefit outways the risk.
If you or a loved one are facing gun charges and need an experienced defense attorney with nearly thirty years working in both Ventura and Los Angeles counties, call me:
Attorney Jeffrey Vallens: (818) 783-5700 or (805) 230-3651 email me at:
jv@4criminaldefense.com or visit my sites for more information:
www.4criminaldefense.com and www.westlakecriminaldefense.com
We proudly serve Los Angeles, Ventura and any other counties or federal districts where our clients need us.