CCW News Santa Clara County CCW Changes- effective by Jan 11 2026

[NorCalBusa]

Props to Brannon of NorCal MedTac (https://www.norcalmedtac.com - based in Santa Cruz County) for sending this around just now.
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Santa Clara County sent an instructor updates that effects all Initial & Renewal CCW applications. Below is a summary.
In addition, Santa Clara County has issued two important training updates that all instructors must implement:
New Training Updates

1. A new CCW Firearm and Range Qualification Form is now required.
2. All qualifications must be conducted from a concealed holster.
   • Battle belts, competition-style holsters, and off-body carry methods are not permitted for qualification.

These updates must be fully implemented no later than January 11th, 2026.
Important Reminder
Applicants CANNOT proceed to any CCW training until they have received formal approval from the Sheriff’s Office.
Any training conducted prior to approval will be voided, and the applicant will be required to repeat the full 16 hours of training plus the qualification shoot.
Qualification Course of Fire (Minimum 25/30 rounds)

• Target: Standard B-27, 8-Ring
• 15 yards: Draw from concealed holster, fire 5 rounds in 20 seconds
• 7 yards: Draw from concealed holster, fire 5 rounds in 15 seconds (twice)
• 5 yards: Draw from concealed holster, fire 5 rounds in 10 seconds (twice)
• 5 yards: Draw from concealed holster, strong-side only, fire 5 rounds in 15 seconds

Please ensure all instructors and staff are briefed on these changes and that your courses are updated accordingly.

 

[magoshands]

Well I don't think the changes are to onerous. Just gotta make sure you practice and have a quality holster.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Well I don't think the changes are to onerous. Just gotta make sure you practice and have a quality holster.

How can they require a holster? Is that buried in the 2A somewhere? Ignoring that, they have no details of what constitutes an acceptable holster...I like using a sock or rolled up in a hand towel.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

How can they require a holster? Is that buried in the 2A somewhere? Ignoring that, they have no details of what constitutes an acceptable holster...I like using a sock or rolled up in a hand towel.

How can you safely secure a firearm on your person while protecting the trigger without a holster?

 

[NorCalBusa]

How can you safely secure a firearm on your person while protecting the trigger without a holster?

That's for consumers/citizens to decide, not a Sheriff of one (or more) counties. Smart California Sheriffs stay away, far, far away of the rule making business especially when it comes to constitutional rights. The entire venture into what gun, what ammo, what accessories, holster, mag capacity, caliber and all the rest goes beyond their task. As a practical matter it sets CCW holders up for the next generation to become having to follow these arbitrary rules crossing city, county, county and state lines- except odd numbered days over 47 degrees in a leap year. Nowhere does the 2A call for "how to shoot & qualify with a gun".

It all needs to be nationalized- uncluttered and cleaned up to bare bones "rules".

 

[Deleted member 16735]

That's for consumers/citizens to decide, not a Sheriff of one (or more) counties. Smart California Sheriffs stay away, far, far away of the rule making business especially when it comes to constitutional rights. The entire venture into what gun, what ammo, what accessories, holster, mag capacity, caliber and all the rest goes beyond their task. As a practical matter it sets CCW holders up for the next generation to become having to follow these arbitrary rules crossing city, county, county and state lines- except odd numbered days over 47 degrees in a leap year. Nowhere does the 2A call for "how to shoot & qualify with a gun".

It all needs to be nationalized- uncluttered and cleaned up to bare bones "rules".

I see what you are saying and I largely agree, I do think a holster is pretty universal in that you need some form of it to carry. Unfortunately as much as we like that Bruen opened up CCW in CA it also explicitly stated that the state licensing systems in place were constitutional as long as they were Shall Issue, they were free to set criteria outside of that. My county is fairly easy, no restrictions on your gun and the qualifier was even made easier to the point where I wonder why bother? Santa Clara sounds like a nightmare

 

[NorCalBusa]

I see what you are saying and I largely agree, I do think a holster is pretty universal in that you need some form of it to carry. Unfortunately as much as we like that Bruen opened up CCW in CA it also explicitly stated that the state licensing systems in place were constitutional as long as they were Shall Issue, they were free to set criteria outside of that. My county is fairly easy, no restrictions on your gun and the qualifier was even made easier to the point where I wonder why bother? Santa Clara sounds like a nightmare

We agree- I think a good holster is terrific. I just don't see it being law or a rule for CCW or anything else.
WRT Santa Clara County- they are an agency that CRPA targeted a year ago, sent letters and threats to sue because their fees went sky high and even then they were not issuing permits beyond single digit volumes. So this "solution" strikes me as only making it worse- more expense/less permits. Win! Whodathunk...

 

[NorCalBusa]

Tell me my computer isn't watching everything I do!

 

[1911-CV]

They exclude off-body (purse, briefcase, etc.) for qualification, even if that is the usual method for the applicant... I wonder if a fanny pack is ok?