CA Ain't So Bad Anymore....Picked up my CCW Today!!!

[marklbucla]

Picked up my CCW Today after waiting around for two months! I picked up a sturdy belt from the OC sheriff gun shop today and will probably get a Cen-Dex IWB holster soon.

I tried CCW'ing around the apt. today, and my back got sore from the new weight around my right hip. Maybe I just need to find a comfortable place to put it on the belt.

 

[nitesite]

... could you elaborate?

I tried CCW'ing around the apt. today, and my back got sore from the new weight around my right hip.

May I ask what sidearm you are arming yourself with, what carry option (holster) you are using, and your approximate ummm age and build?

And also how you successfully applied for a CHL in CA? I'm very interested since I have heard it can be quite difficult for folks to get one.

Thanks!

edited: I forgot to add that I am proud of you for successfully negotiating the California Legal system. May you use your personal experiance to draw more California citizens into the RKBA fold.

I hope you find a more comfortable carry method.

 

[MaterDei]

Congrats!

Oh, and yes California still blows.

 

[P95Carry]

Ahah ... Orange County I notice, assume - well you guys at least (it seems) have a halfways decent prospect of getting a carry permit. Good news indeed.

The time will come (soon maybe) when you feel ''odd'' when NOT carrying.

 

[50 Freak]

Two months????

Mine took five months. Welcome to the wonderful world of Conceal Carry. Hope you brought money as your going to be needing it soon for all the nice little CCW peices you will be buying soon.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The People's Republic of California thrives on the idea of dividing its subjects into classes.

 

[stealthmode]

marklbucla

im in oc also

what did you put for the reason you wanted to carry?

a friends co worker just got his also and his reason was that he goes shooting twice a week and that was good enought for teh sheriff. i am now saving my receipts to try to get mine.

 

[marklbucla]

Weapon is a CZ-PCR
Belt is an Aker B21
Holster is a cheapie Uncle Mike's Suede IWB holster. I'm going to be getting a Cen-Dex very soon though, but I really like the Uncle Mike's because I can really hide it without having to wear a jacket. The OWB doensn't work at all for me unless it's under a big jacket.
I was carrying it around 4:00 to 4:30 on the back of my right side
I am 5'5", 150 lbs., 34" waist.

Stealthmode, I used that same reason: That I am an "avid shooter" and go to the range 1-2 times a week, often at night, and a transport several firearms. I've been a member at the Firing Line ranges for the last three years.

Fortunately/Unfortunately, I'm going to probably be moving to either Alabama or Colorado for further Graduate studies in August. It would cost too much in fees to bother with adding on extra weapons considering that I'm still shelling out cash for Holsters, belts, etc. and that this permit is probably only going to be good till August. However, it hasn't stopped me from going ahead and getting some other guns for future CCW possibilities!!! My CZ-75B and PCR just had a baby....the RAMI!

 

[Mauserguy]

Cool!!!

I am also in OC, but never thought a CHL was even possible. I don't shoot as much as you do, but I like to go hiking. Given our mountain lion problems (they like to chomp the heads off of the locals), and the presence of soccer moms, who would freak out if they saw a holstered gun, I wondeer if I would have reason enough to qualify.
Mauserguy

 

[Wiley]

Mauserguy,

Welcome.

'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. Give it a shot. The worst that can happen is that you're turned down. If it's granted, you CA folks have one more person to push for constitutional, non-racist carry laws.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

I though the worst that can happen is they say no, AND you've spent hours of your time and hundreds of your dollars in non-refundable application fees.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

"one of us, one of us..."

Congrats!

 

[El Rojo]

Good job Mark! It brings me great pleasure to hear of another Bruin packing heat.

Take note those of you in OC, if all he put was he went to the range a lot on his application, that means just about any of you can get one if you are OC. And your permit is good STATEWIDE!

Now spending the $200-300 for having a permit for 8 months is interesting, but then again, I wouldn't give mine up now for nothing.

I have found the most comfortable carry is just to mexican style my Glock 27 in my waistband at about 4 o'clock. It has never slipped out of there and I don't get into any fights so high level retention isn't so much of a concern. It is always concealed and it is fairly light. I adjust it every once in a while, but I do that by just moving it from the outside of my pants and 99% of PRK residents aren't going to think I am adjusting the Glock in my waistband. Plus you can always say, "Cell phone".

Good times man. Enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about being an armed citizen. It feels good in this state to not be another victim full of so many.

 

[thatguy]

Getting and keeping a carry permit in CA is tough, but it is a "may issue" state with each sheriff/chief empowered to issue as he or she wishes. This means some counties or cities are easy while others are impossible depending on the whims of the CLEO. Orange Co. is, I think, more conservative than the rest of So. CA. so a permit may be obtainable there. San Franciso Co? Forget it! Marin Co? Forget it. Mariposa or Madera Cos? Better chance. Permits good statewide but I think any cop in the state can confiscate the permit on the spot for any reason he or she chooses. So if the SF cops tells you to put your carry piece in your trunk you do it or lose the permit.

 

[jojosdad]

Mark - welcome to the ranks of the few, the proud, the Kalifornians with CCW's. One thing I've noticed is that since no one expects me to be carrying inadverdent flashes go unnoticed (so far). It's either that they are so unfamiliar with guns that they actually don't recognize an exposed grip (I carry IWB) as part of one, or since they know no one who carries that they think no one carries and therefore what they see logically can't be a gun. The other reaction/assumption is that you're a LEO.
I also carry in the same place as you and had back pain until I got a quality belt. I picked up a barely used Galco at a local Starvation Army thrift store for $10.00 (best deal of the year), but after using it I won't hesitate to replace it with a new REAL gun belt when the time comes.
IIRC when you go to college out of state you don't necessarily have to change your legal residence. I think this applies to voting and it may apply to CCW permits as well. You can see if http://www.packing.org/ has this info.
Good luck, I hope it all works out so you keep your CCW longer than August.

 

[Hot brass]

Mark congratulations. One has to try and get a CCW in Cali, never know!!!!
Welcome to the ranks. IWB holster?? The best that I have tried is the Milt Sparks VMII. "MAN" what a holster! Very much worth the wait.

 

[Daniel L]

Congratulations on your CCW. I have the same problem as you with some pain in my 4 o clock position from the additional weight. I'm CCWing a USP-C in a Milt Spark VMII.

I'm not sure if I can get used to it or if I should switch to a smaller firearm.

 

[El Rojo]

Permits good statewide but I think any cop in the state can confiscate the permit on the spot for any reason he or she chooses. So if the SF cops tells you to put your carry piece in your trunk you do it or lose the permit.

Do you have state law to back that up with? If a SF cop tells me to stop carrying legally as I am permitted to by state law, he can have a heartfelt, "Go screw yourself, sir." My permit states, "To any peace officer: This permit is to be seized if holder is found under influence of any alcoholic beverage or arrested for criminal misconduct." I don't go around conducting offenses that might get me arrested for criminal misconduct or drinking alcoholic beverages, so they have nothing on me. I am usually not inclined to want to get into a legal battle, but if a police officer didn't like the idea of me carrying and wanted to make an issue of it, I know I am in the right and I would take the legal challenge at the expense of that particular area's taxpayers. You have to stand up somewhere and this is as good a place as any.

 

[Intune]

I have found the most comfortable carry is just to mexican style my Glock 27 in my waistband at about 4 o'clock. It has never slipped out of there and I don't get into any fights so high level retention isn't so much of a concern.

El Rojo, PLEASE get a holster. What you are doing is so dangerous that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Don't become a statistic.

 

[campbellcj]

Has anybody attempted the process in LA County? Everything I've read indicates that it is basically impossible. There are <900 CCW permits for approximately 8 million people

Among other things, I've heard that if you list "personal defense" as a reason for the permit, you have to cite specific threats and cite police reports...not sure if this is true or rumour, but it would not surprise me.

I suspect most of the permits out there are for private security/bodyguard folks working for the politicians and Hollywood elitists.

 

[El Rojo]

You would think Intune, but I haven't had a problem with it for going on 5 years now. It doesn't budge and stays right where I want it to. It is so much more comfortable and easier to conceal than having a holster.

campbellcj, what is takes to get a permit in LA County would pretty much alter your life so drastically that you wouldn't even like guns anymore and you would start watching cutting edge films like Bowling for Columbine and Farenheit 9/11. Sorry, but you can forget about getting a permit outta LA County and having any hope for salvation.

 

[marklbucla]

Packing.org said that Culver City is Shall Issue. I don't know what the truth of that is though. I'm sure it also depends on what part of LA County you live in.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

SAN DIEGO & ORANGE COUNTIES ARE REASONABLE

I believe that you'll find both the San Diego County sheriff's department and the Orange County sheriff's office are pretty reasonable about CCW.

 

[jlwatts3]

El rojo, the problem is not the glock falling out but accidental or negligent or intentional discharge. With out any external safeties, if enough pressure is applied on the trigger it goes bang.

At this point, if you sit in a seat and the trigger get s caught on some protrusion you will end up with a new and unwanted hole in your body. Furthermore, someone can just reach the trigger and shoot you with your gun still in your waistband.

You need a holster that covers the trigger guard for a glock. Geta an uncle mikes sidekick IWB for less than $20. You won't regret it.

 

[Brass Balls]

Congratulations Mark!

A CA CCW Permit can be difficult to obtain, however once issued there are less restrictions on where you can carry compared to most shall issue states.

How many guns were you allowed to list? I'm allowed three.