Question Details	Asked By	Asked On
Guns and stuff	SCOOBY	07/25/04
Hello excon, This one you don't need to make private. I'd like to get feedback from other people. How much can I expect to spend on a small video camera? And is a time delayed VCR different from a regular VCR? I live in California and not sure how linient this state is on guns in the first place let a lone a hand carry permit. What do you know about what is involved in getting a hand carry permit? I had bought a gun at one time, but after complaining to my credit card company, the police came to pick it up from my home because it was defective. I think the merchant called the police to come and pick it up after possibly lying to them. I never replaced it because I started hearing that the government has been making certain guns illegal but not publicing which ones but still holding gun owners responsible. It is my understanding the goverment isn't big on it's citizens owning guns. What can you tell me about what I have been hearing? What is a marksman course? Is that practice shooting at a range?
Clarification/Follow-up by SCOOBY on 07/31/04 4:05 am: Hello Fr_Chuck Thank you for all the great information. I think contacting and even joining a Gun organization might give me the confidence to buy another gun. I looked through one of the websites you listed and it took me to an article dated Friday July 30, 2004 regarding home evasion by police to confiscate people's guns. I will keep an eye out on the update of this case and keep looking at other gun organizations. I am interested in knowing whether these organizations actually help people who get harassed by the government for having a gun as in this case. No one has a legal right to have a gun unless there is an attorney or an organization that will stick up for us and protect our legal right to have one if and when the government attempts to take it away from us. And as I mentioned before, the government has made it clear that they have the right to outlaw any gun anytime they want without any notice to us whatsoever and that means they can throw anyone in jail any time they feel like it. And in this recent situation the police just broke into people's houses to take their guns.
Answered By		Answered On
Fr_Chuck		07/31/04
Hello, You got one right up my alley on this one. I am a very strong beleiver in our right to bear arms ( or was that to arm the bears) I still like the better handguns and think there is nothing better than a Glock. Now they don't have a safty, except you don't point and shoot unless you want to kill. But then there is no safty to be accidently on if you want to point and shoot. There are several compitition courses for handguns, and a combat course for them. Most courses will involved shooting from standing, kneeling and sometimes laying. From a concelled postion and sometimes using your weak hand to hold the weapom for a specific number of rounds. Many of the combat course and the courses officers go though invovle having to draw from the holster and fire specific numbers of rounds at timed targets. Also many courses you have to reload during the timed target firing. A cheap slow speed VCR and camera set will cost at least 400 dollars and go up, a good one will cost about 1000 and will still go up into the 10's of thousands depending on how good a cameral and lense yuu want. Anyway, you can find the gun laws of all states at www.packing.org Here is a summary of California Please note: Contrary to popular belief, CCW permits are in fact issued within the State of California. The decision is made by appointed city law enforcement or elected county law enforcement. Cities generally defer the decision to the County Sheriff; therefore, the chance of issuance varies from county to county, and from elected Sheriff to elected Sheriff. Keep that in mind when you vote. You can download the California Department of Justice Standard CCW Application for License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW) and a list of Approved instructors. (This is from the San Diego County Sheriffs Dept.) The Standard Application for CCW on page 5 has the following: List below the weapons you desire to carry if granted a CCW. You may carry concealed only the weapon(s) which you list and describe herein, and only for the purpose indicated. Any misuse will cause an automatic revocation and possible arrest. (Use additional pages if necessary.) Make, Model, Caliber, Serial No. See The CA FAQ for non-resident CCW info. Although provisions are on the books, licenses are seldom granted. Availability to residents is on a discretionary basis with wide variation among counties. Stolen from a newsgroup posting on 1/10/98: Is a sheriff still allowed to issue a CCW to a resident of another county or has that practice been outlawed by recent legislation? A sheriff never was allowed to issue a CCW to a resident of another county. A chief of police "was" allowed to issue a CCW to a resident of the same "county" even though of a different "city". That has been done away with as of 1/1/98. Now a chief of police may only issue to a resident of the same city. Sheriffs are still allowed to issue to any resident of the county over which he/she has jurisdiction. California State Constitution: There are No provisions related to the right to keep and bear arms in the California Constitution. You can contact the Attorney General via this online Contact Form. History for this field How do I apply for a Permit/License? Date updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 Penal Code 12050 to 12054 Describes the process for obtaining a permit in California. A good place to view a more common sense view of California Firearms Laws. History for this field Documents required Date updated: Sunday, March 2, 2003 Who May Be Issued a License The licensing authority specified in PC section 12050(a)(1) (a sheriff or head of a municipal police department) may issue a license to persons who are of good moral character, who have completed a course of training, and where good cause exists for issuance of the CCW license. All applications for a CCW will be fingerprinted and state records will be checked to determine if they are in a prohibiting class. Attachments 1, 2, and 3 (following page 14 of this application) list all categories that would cause a person to be in a class prohibiting them from possessing firearms and being granted a CCW license. These attachments are updated annually to reflect new legislation and other changes in the law. Documents Needed: * Completed Application. * Training Certificate * Psychological Test may be required (Depends on Jurisdiction.) Training Required PC section 12050(a)(1)(B) and (E) specifies that new license applicants must complete a course of training. The training may consist of any course acceptable to the licensing authority. The licensing authority may require either a course not to exceed 16 hours which includes instruction on at least firearms safety and the law regarding the permissible use of a firearm or a community college course not to exceed 24 hours certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. If the licensing authority requires the community college course, it must be uniformly required for all CCW license applicants. The licensing authority may also require annual qualification on the weapon(s) during the term for which the CCW license is granted. For license renewal applicants, the course of training may be any course acceptable to the licensing authority, shall be no less than four hours in length, and shall include instruction on at least firearm safety and the law regarding permissible use of a firearm. History for this field Issuing authority Date updated: Thursday, May 1, 2003 Format of CCW License A CCW license may be issued in either of the following formats: 1. A license to carry concealed, a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. 2. Where the population of the county is less than 200,000 persons according to the most recent federal decennial census, a license to carry loaded and exposed in that county a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. Who Can Issue Permits: 1. Chief of Police of town/city of residence 2. County Sheriff of residence. The following information is a breakdown of selected counties as compiled by the California Attorney General's Office in the year 2000. If anyone can provide verifiable information as to the current count, please contact the California Admin. # Kern - 3,566 # Shasta - 2,972 # Fresno - 2,178 # San Bernardino - 2,084 # Los Angeles - 874 # San Joaquin - 491 # Contra Costa - 208 # San Mateo - 204 # Alameda - 150 # Santa Clara - 132 # Sonoma - 131 # Solano - 77 # Marin - 44 # San Francisco - 8 History for this field Permit/License term Date updated: Monday, October 6, 2003 2 years - Standard (Civilian) Judicial - 2 years Reserve - 2 years Custodial - 2 years Employee (LEO) - 4 years History for this field Approximate cost Date updated: Saturday, December 21, 2002 Penal Code 12054 * (a)... The licensing authority of any city, city and county, or county may charge an additional fee in an amount equal to the actual costs for processing the application for a new license, excluding fingerprint and training costs, but in no case to exceed one hundred dollars ($100)... ...The licensing authority may charge an additional fee, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25), for processing the application for a license renewal... History for this field Places off-limits while carrying Date updated: Sunday, December 29, 2002 FIREARMS AND PICKETING ACTIVITY The following is from the California Attorney Generals Web page on Firearms. It is unlawful for any person to carry a loaded firearm upon his or her person or within any vehicle under his or her control or direction while engaged in picketing activity. (Penal Code § 12590(a)(2) Picketing activity means any informational activities conducted in a public place relating to a concerted refusal to work. General Exceptions Are Not Applicable The exceptions regarding loaded firearms provided for peace officers, bank guards, armored vehicle guards, licensed hunters or fishermen, private investigators, and other persons in Section 5. Loaded Firearms of this publication, do not apply if such individuals are engaged in picketing activities as described above. (Penal Code § 12590(c). History for this field Car/Gun law summary Date updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Effective January 1, 2003, the California Penal Code (PC) will include new as well as revised weapons code sections. This bulletin provides a brief summary of these changes in law. For more detailed language, you may contact the California State Capitol Legislative Bill Room at (916) 445-2323 to obtain copies of these bills (order by statute year and chapter number) or you may access the full text of these bills via the Internet at the Legislative Counsel's Bill Information website. Effective January 1, 2003, the Basic Firearms Safety Certificate Program was replaced with the Handgun Safety Certificate Program. These new statutes affect the general public in two principal ways. First, unless exempt, individuals must possess a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) prior to purchasing or acquiring a handgun. Second, unless exempt, individuals must perform a safe handling demonstration prior to taking delivery of a handgun from a licensed dealer. HSCs are acquired by taking and passing a written test on handgun safety, generally at participating firearms dealerships and private firearms training facilities. A Handgun Safety Certificate Study Guide (PDF), to help individuals prepare for the Handgun Safety Certificate Test is available for purchase at firearms dealerships at $.50 each. There will also be a Handgun Safety Certificate Video Guide available to supplement the material provided in the study guide. The handgun safety demonstration protocols and DOJ Certified Instructor standards have been established and implemented by DOJ. An explanation of the handgun safety demonstration can be found starting on page 45 of the Handgun Safety Certificate Study Guide. Extremely detailed information containing exact Penal Codes can be found on the California Office of the Attorney General's 2004 Dangerous Weapons Control Laws page. Penal Code 12001 * (j) For purposes of Section 12023, a firearm shall be deemed to be "loaded" whenever both the firearm and the unexpended ammunition capable of being discharged from the firearm are in the immediate possession of the same person. Penal Code 12023 * (a)Every person who carries a loaded firearm with the intent to commit a felony is guilty of armed criminal action. * (b) Armed criminal action is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison. Penal Code 12025. * (a) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed firearm when he or she does any of the following: * (1) Carries concealed within any vehicle which is under his or her control or direction any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. * (2) Carries concealed upon his or her person any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. * (3) Causes to be carried concealed within any vehicle in which he or she is an occupant any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. Penal Code 12026.1. * (a) Section 12025 shall not be construed to prohibit any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is not within the excepted classes prescribed by Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, from transporting or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, provided that the following applies to the firearm: * (1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle other than the utility or glove compartment. * (2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying the firearm, the firearm is contained within a locked container. Penal Code 12030 * (l) Nothing in this section shall prevent any person from having a loaded weapon, if it is otherwise lawful, at his or her place of residence, including any temporary residence or campsite. Penal Code 12031. * (a)(1) A person is guilty of carrying a loaded firearm when he or she carries a loaded firearm on his or her person or in a vehicle while in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated city or in any public place or on any public street in a prohibited area of unincorporated territory. Penal Code 12034. * (a) It is a misdemeanor for a driver of any motor vehicle or the owner of any motor vehicle, whether or not the owner of the vehicle is occupying the vehicle, knowingly to permit any other person to carry into or bring into the vehicle a firearm in violation of Section 12031 of this code or Section 2006 of the Fish and Game Code. History for this field Must inform Law Enforcement when Carrying Date updated: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 There is no specific mention in law for CCW licensee's to have their licenses with them at all times. However, it would be wise to do so in the event an officer finds you with a concealed weapon for whatever reason. A prudent course of action is to present your CCW with your driver's license while keeping hands in plain sight (e.g. steering wheel at 10 and 2 o'clock). Do not say "officer, I have a gun" because they will fixate on the word "gun" and forget about the CCW they're holding in their hands. It's best to remain still and just let the officer read your permit. Source: CA Penal Code 12050-12054 History for this field Carrying without a Permit/License Date updated: Thursday, July 8, 2004 While CA has the classical old political CCW system (no right to carry except for politicians and celebrities -- e.g. anti-gun rights senators Boxer and Feinstein have permits) there are two things you should know. First: CA has a gray area de facto quasi-right-to-carry. The state law provides that carrying a concealed weapon (including a knife or blackjack) is a FELONY. However, the wise legislators kept a clear exception to cover all of their friends and relatives that carry illegally. If you are carrying a gun (not a knife!) AND it was legally purchased AND you are not a gang member (yes, they have a statutory definition of gang member) AND it is your first such arrest then concealed carry is only a misdemeanor. This was explained to me by several professionals and lawyers and I checked it out on the CA government web page. A typical fine is $200. Do not carry a knife or baton! Secondly, the country's safest city, Simi Valley has its own right to carry program. It requires a psychological evaluation ($250), a few night classes on the law and shooting and a shooting test. Total cost about $550 History for this field Peaceable journey law summary: Date updated: Thursday, March 11, 2004 If you do not have a Concealed Carry Permit issued by a California Sheriff or Law Enforcement Agency you can not transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle or on your person in California. If you do not have a California CCW Permit the unloaded firearm must be in a locked box in the trunk or in a locked box (Not the glove box or console) inside the vehicle. If transporting a firearm in California it must be legal for you to possess that firearm under California Law. California Defensive Spray Laws can be found in Penal Code SECTION 12401-12404 There may be local regulations that control sprays also. History for this field Deadly force law summary: Date updated: Monday, March 29, 2004 California Penal Code Section 196-199 196. Homicide is justifiable when committed by public officers and those acting by their command in their aid and assistance, either-- 1. In obedience to any judgment of a competent Court; or, 2. When necessarily committed in overcoming actual resistance to the execution of some legal process, or in the discharge of any other legal duty; or, 3. When necessarily committed in retaking felons who have been rescued or have escaped, or when necessarily committed in arresting persons charged with felony, and who are fleeing from justice or resisting such arrest. 197. Homicide is also justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases: 1. When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person; or, 2. When committed in defense of habitation, property, or person, against one who manifestly intends or endeavors, by violence or surprise, to commit a felony, or against one who manifestly intends and endeavors, in a violent, riotous or tumultuous manner, to enter the habitation of another for the purpose of offering violence to any person therein; or, 3. When committed in the lawful defense of such person, or of a wife or husband, parent, child, master, mistress, or servant of such person, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design to commit a felony or to do some great bodily injury, and imminent danger of such design being accomplished; but such person, or the person in whose behalf the defense was made, if he was the assailant or engaged in mutual combat, must really and in good faith have endeavored to decline any further struggle before the homicide was committed; or, 4. When necessarily committed in attempting, by lawful ways and means, to apprehend any person for any felony committed, or in lawfully suppressing any riot, or in lawfully keeping and preserving the peace. 198. A bare fear of the commission of any of the offenses mentioned in subdivisions 2 and 3 of Section 197, to prevent which homicide may be lawfully committed, is not sufficient to justify it. But the circumstances must be sufficient to excite the fears of a reasonable person, and the party killing must have acted under the influence of such fears alone. 198.5. Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred. As used in this section, great bodily injury means a significant or substantial physical injury. 199. The homicide appearing to be justifiable or excusable, the person indicted must, upon his trial, be fully acquitted and discharged. Admin Note: There could be other sections of the California Code that pertains to Deadly Force or Use of Force. Case Law also has a huge impact on Deadly Force laws. It is your responsibility to know the Law. History for this field Knife carry law summary: Date updated: Thursday, March 11, 2004 California Knife Laws: A Comprehensive Guide A very comprehensive look at California very complicated “Knife Laws” can be viewed at the link above. California Knife laws can also be accessed through the California State Law Search. California Knife Laws can be found in SPC - 12020. & 653k & 626.10 & 12001.1. & 12028. History for this field State/local preemption law: Date updated: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 California Government Code 53071 It is the intention of the Legislature to occupy the whole field of regulation of the registration or licensing of commercially manufactured firearms as encompassed by the provisions of the Penal Code, and such provisions shall be exclusive of all local regulations, relating to registration or licensing of commercially manufactured firearms, by any political subdivision as defined in Section 1721 of the Labor Code. History for this field Offices relating to CCW licensing in California Attorney General: California Attorney General P.O. Box 944255 Sacramento, California 94244-2550 Phone: (916) 445-9555 or (916) 322-3360 Fax: Unk Web Homepage Email: http://caag.state.ca.us/contact/general.htm Issuance of Permit/License: Resident Permit/License: yes Non-resident Permit/License: no Shall-issue Permit/License: no Must apply in person: yes Permit/License age minimum: unk Shall-issue means that the issuing authority has no discretion when to issue Permit/License if the applicant is not disqualified. Other Information: Must carry Permit/License by law: yes Must notify officer when carrying: no Can carry in state park: unk Gun-friendly peaceable journey laws: no Guns must be registered with state/police: unk Related links: Packing.org page for California California Official home page Packing.org NEWS page for California California Business Attorneys for The 2nd Amendment - Real estate attorneys (and a former CA police officer) of donating 20% of their time to 2nd Amendment and CCW causes. Email your Cal. CCW questions to the address on the website for prompt, pro bono, responses. (1852 hits) California Code (LEXIS) (6974 hits) California DOJ Standard CCW Application - Here is the standardized California CCW application in PDF format, provided by the San Diego Sheriff's Department. (2685 hits) California Firearms Training Associates - Basic Recreational Handgun Training Courses - General Handgun, Carbine, Ladies Pistol/Self-Defense Awareness, Live Fire Entry Training, and Concealed Carry Handgun. (4545 hits) California Knife Laws: A Comprehensive Guide - SPC - 12020. & 653k & 626.10 & 12001.1. & 12028. (3328 hits) California Law Enforcement Web Sites - Links to all the Online Law Enforcement Departments in California. (1541 hits) California NRA Members Council - An NRA affiliate and Member club of the California Rifle and Pistol Association Proud Supporter of the California Rifle & Pistol Association Website (1970 hits) California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. - State firearms association (3227 hits) California State Legislature - Laws and Constitution (1865 hits) Enforcement Trainers, Inc. - Firearm Instructions for ALL levels, State BSIS Classes, BFSC permits, CCW classes and more. (1676 hits) Equal Rights California for CCW Home Page - This site documents the author's legal battle for equal rights in CCW licensing in California. (7588 hits) Firearms Training Associates - A satellite school of Gunsite Academy and features senior instructors from Gunsite and other leading training centers in the country. (2445 hits) Gabe Suarez - Suarez International - Gabe Suarez is a decorated police officer and prolific author. He conducts training for private citizens in all aspects of defensive issues, including CCW, through Suarez International and The HALO (3808 hits) Gun Owners of California (4975 hits) Second Amendment Sports - Visit our home page for complete description of training courses including: CCW, CDC Requalifications, Hunters safety Course, Basic Firearms Safety Certificate and more. Also take an interactive tour. Link updated 01/08/04 (1606 hits) Tactical Firearms Training Institute - Tacfire is the professional, affordable & friendly place to learn, develop & maintain safe and effective weapon skills. Located in Ventura, California, Tacfire offers a full range of firearms training courses as well as NRA instructor programs (2440 hits) The Gunman of Southern California - NRA certified classes being held monthly on pistol, rifle, personal protection, home firearms safety. 1-877-723-9436 (4362 hits) Emails of people to ask: * NEW *Email the state admin: jonm using the packing.org email system. You must be logged in. J. Landberg - I can provide specific cause statement information for Orange County. P. Anderson - I will try to answer any questions you may have. R. S. - Will do all I can to answer all your questions about Monterey County. R. Rennwald - I will try to answer all the questions you have. J. Macaluso - Santa Barbara County Permits/licenses that this state honors:

Additional Options and ratings are only visible when you login!