CA has had CCW for a select few longer than most of the rest of the nation. Part of that is because CA has had restrictions on carrying longer than many places as well.
CA has a very large population. So the state realized the need for the elite few to defend themselves early on, and realized such laws could interfere with that and created CCW.
Occasionaly and in some areas that privelidge was extended to mere commoners that knew it existed, what it was and to ask for it.
As other states slowly became more restrictive on carry, and then later created a license to still allow some to carry with requirements, restrictions, and fees, more people became aware of CCW (or as others would see it "gained" freedom
) in the nation. More CA gun owners also became aware such a thing existed.
Most citizens were unaware of CCW in CA for most of the time it has been available. With other states practicing it wholesale many became aware who never had before. The internet also makes it hard to put the genie back in the bottle.
The result is some restrictions not seen before in most CCW licenses of the past.
Generaly speaking someone in CA recieved a CCW with no requirements other than a clean record and the favor of the local Sheriff or PD. They could then use that CCW anywhere in the state, and very few restrictions applied to it or where it was valid.
That however has changed in some places as the demand by mere commoners has gone up. Some places are now requiring fees, higher fees, training, and putting restrictions on where and when the CCW is valid.
Of course most of the population lives in regions of the state that grant very few CCW licenses, so of course the rest are still very greatful to "kind of" be allowed the right to bear thier arms.
So the limited restrictions are mainly a thing carried over from the past, because the history of special people and CCW is longer in CA than a even a license to CCW most other places. Many states have just joined the CCW scene, and did so with the expectation of issuing to commoners. So the restrictions and fees and various requirements in them were there from the start or early on.
New York may in fact share a similar history, though I do not know. A lot of very rich and wealthy people have lived in that state for a long time, and firearm restrictions have existed for a long time (just look at the Sullivan Law). It would make sense that CCW could have developed very similar into a barely restricted thing when predominantly out of the reach of the commoners. I guess the way they keep it that way there is by making NYC permits AKA those obtainable by special people special granting freedom everywhere.
