California has significant carry restrictions, and the legal landscape has shifted substantially since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. New legislation, court rulings, and injunctions continue to affect what is currently enforceable. This page provides a general overview only — verify the current status of any specific provision with County sheriff or local police chief or a licensed California attorney before relying on it.
California carry status overview
California requires a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) License to carry a concealed handgun, issued by County sheriff or local police chief. Post-Bruen, California moved to shall-issue for qualified applicants under SB 2 (2023), but enacted an extensive list of "sensitive places" where carry remains prohibited even with a permit. Significant litigation is ongoing regarding the scope of these restrictions.
| Concealed carry | Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) License required |
| Governing law | California Penal Code §§ 25400–26050 |
| Issuing authority | County sheriff or local police chief |
| Open carry | Generally prohibited |
| Vehicle carry | Strict requirements — verify current rules |
| Post-Bruen changes | Yes — significant sensitive-location and process changes since 2022 |
Applying for a permit
Apply through County sheriff or local police chief. Be prepared for a more involved process than in most other states — additional documentation, longer processing times, and in some cases an in-person interview may be required. Training requirements are typically more extensive than in shall-issue states.
Application info: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/ccw ↗
Sensitive locations (post-Bruen)
Following the 2022 Bruen decision, California enacted expanded "sensitive location" restrictions that prohibit carry — even with a valid permit — in a substantially wider range of places than before. Categories commonly include:
- Government buildings and courts
- Schools and educational institutions (K–12 and higher ed)
- Healthcare facilities
- Public transit
- Places of worship (unless authorized)
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol
- Public parks and gathering places (varies)
- Polling places
- Private property, unless affirmatively authorized by the owner (varies by state)
These categories are illustrative — the specific list and ongoing litigation status varies. Verify the current, enforceable list directly with County sheriff or local police chief before carrying anywhere in California.
Frequently asked questions — California
Is it difficult to get a carry permit in California?
The process in California is generally more involved than in shall-issue states — expect more documentation, training requirements, and processing time. Apply through County sheriff or local police chief for the current specific requirements.
Has California's carry law changed recently?
Yes, likely. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Bruen decision, many restrictive states including California enacted new legislation addressing "sensitive locations" and permit processes. This area of law is actively litigated and continues to change. Always verify the current status before relying on any specific provision described here.
Does California honor permits from other states?
Generally, California does not broadly recognize out-of-state carry permits the way many other states do. Verify the specific current reciprocity status — if any — with County sheriff or local police chief or the state attorney general's office before assuming your out-of-state permit is valid here.