Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy

Under Review

Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy page 1
Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy Page 2
Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy Page 3

PREAMBLE: In accordance with the United States Supreme Court decision in New York Rifle Association v. Bruen, 597 U.S.    (June 23, 2022) (Bruen), the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) will no longer use the "good cause" standard in processing applications for concealed carry weapons ("CCW") licenses. In addition, following the Bruen decision, the California State Legislature introduced legislation to modify state law concerning issuance of CCWs. SFPD has received a rise in applications for CCWs. This interim policy will address CCWs and the processing of applications for the period following the Bruen decision and before any legislative modifications. SFPD will modify this policy and its application process if and when state law changes

POLICY: It is the policy of SFPD to process all completed CCW applications in a timely manner and to grant CCWs only to applicants who are law-abiding, responsible persons, including to those of good moral character.

PURPOSE: To establish a written policy setting forth the general license requirements and application procedures for the issuance and/or denial of CCW license.
 

  1. SFPD is authorized to issue CCW licenses to members of the general public as follows: These licenses may be issued to applicants who reside within the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF), and are valid for a term not to exceed two years, except for those issued to qualifying state and federal judge, magistrates or commissioners, are valid for a term of up to three years.
     
  2. Applicants must:
    1. Legally own and have registered the firearm for which the applicant seeks a license.
    2. At least 21-years of age.
    3. Pass a psychological test as administered by an SFPD approved psychologist.
    4. Pass a background investigation that will determine if the applicant a law-abiding, responsible person, and thus is of good moral character in accordance with state law.
    5. Complete at least a 16-hour firearms training course, as approved by the SFPD, with the firearm for which the applicant seeks a CCW license.
       
  3. Application and Background Investigation:
    1. The applicant must:
      1. Complete the state (Department of Justice "DOJ") approved application (BOF 4012).
      2. Appear in person for an interview.
      3. Provide fingerprints for DOJ background check.
      4. Pay all required fees.
      5. Complete a psychological examination with an SFPD approved psychologist.
      6. After notification that the applicant has met all eligibility requirements and passed the background investigation, provide proof of completion of an SFPD approved firearms course.
    2. The SFPD will conduct a DOJ criminal background check to determine if the applicant is eligible to possess a firearm and to confirm legal ownership of the firearm.
    3. The SFPD will also review materials such as citations, arrests, convictions, civil lawsuits, employment discharges, military discharges, license denials, license revocations, other actions indicating a possible propensity for violence or moral turpitude, drug and / or alcohol abuse, carelessness with weapons, and / or dishonesty to determine whether the applicant is a law abiding, responsible citizen.
  4. The SFPD may place restrictions and conditions on a license, including restrictions on the time, place, manner and circumstances under which the licensee may carry the firearm for which the license is issued.
  5. The SFPD grant or deny an application within the statutory timelines, which are currently 90 days of the application, or 30 days after receipt of the applicants DOJ criminal background check, whichever is later. If the SFPD denies the application, the SFPD shall inform the applicant of the reasons for the denial.
  6. Records that include information provided by the applicant and obtained by the SFPD in investigating and processing the application may be public records subject to disclosure, with redactions required by state law. [See Cal Gov. Code, § 6254, subd. (u).]
  7. CCW License renewals: To obtain a renewal of the CCW license, the applicant must:
    1. Prove continued residence in CCSF.
    2. Prove continued lawful ownership of the firearm for which the license was issued.
    3. Continue to be a responsible, law-abiding person.
    4. Provide identification sufficient to provide positive identification to the DOJ.
    5. Attend an additional SFPD approved training course.
    6. If there is compelling evidence to indicate that an additional psychological test is necessary, undergo an additional psychological test.
    7. Pay all required fees for renewal.
  8. The SFPD may revoke the CCW license when:
    1. The licenser no longer meets the eligibility requirements.
    2. The licensee violates any of the conditions placed on the license.
    3. As required by law.

INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT:
Below is an explanation of what you can expect during the application process for a CCW license. The Application: In order for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to process your application for a license, please provide the information requested below. Upon completion of the forms listed below, please hand-deliver the documents the Court Liaison Unit located at 850 Bryant St. San Francisco.

  1. California Department of Justice Standard Application for License to Carry a Concealed Weapon. This form is available on the SFPD's website. Read, complete and sign sections 1 to 5 only. You must complete sections 6, 7 and 8 in the presence of the background investigator.
  2. Proof of San Francisco residency.
  3. Information to identify the firearm for which you seek a license.
  4. Payment of the required fees. A copy of the fee schedule is attached hereto.
  5. Personal reference letters, at the option of the applicant.

After reviewing the initial application information, the background investigator will contact you to schedule an interview, obtain fingerprints, sign waivers required to conduct a background investigation and psychological test, and will also provide referral information to the approved psychologist for your psychological evaluation.

The background investigation will include, among other things, a criminal history check and interviews of your references, if any.

After receiving all of the required information from you, the DOJ, and the psychologist, and completing the background investigation, the SFPD will notify you of its determination, and if denied, the basis for the denial, in accordance with the timelines set forth in state law. Currently, those timelines are 90 days of the application, or 30 days following the DOJ response, whichever is later.

Once you receive confirmation that you meet all requirements for a CCW license, the SFPD will issue your license after you:

  1. Pay the remainder of the required fees, if any.
  2. Provide proof that you have passed an authorized firearms training course. Firearms course requirements are attached hereto.

The SFPD may include reasonable restrictions on the time, place, manner and circumstances under which the licensee may carry the gun for which the license is issued.

Please be aware that state law may change during the investigatory period, and that there may be additional or different requirements that apply to your application.