CCW Santa Clara County CCW Thread

[Megavolt121]

Yup, and although it's not the fault of the current officers / admin, the fact that a county of 2 million people only had ~100 permits issued for the last two decades surely didn't help with the surge of demand that opened in 2022, and is probably holding pretty steady still.

From what I can tell from the Permitium pickup scheduling slots, they only do pickups Tue / Fri, with 5 times per day; so a max of 10 per week being issued, which just isn't very many; I have no doubt they are probably hiring more folks to try and pick up the probably still-present high demand.

Retired SCSO are being brought back to assist with the CCW processes. On Dec 10, 2024, the dept had asked the county's board of supervisors for permission to increase fees to cover personnel costs to assist in the additional volume. They were directed to provide a report within one year to update the board on the cost-recovery process. This seems to be coinciding with the new lawsuit being filed against the county.

 

[ImpulseGundam]

Got notification for my CCW renewal. Under "Attach Documentation", it says: "8-Hour Firearms Training Certificate...", does that mean I have to complete my training before submission?

EDIT: I think this answers my question...

 

[ImpulseGundam]

I emailed them too and this was the response, just in case others are in a similar situation

 

[NorCalBusa]

I emailed them too and this was the response, just in case others are in a similar situation

Besides the typo, what else do they have wrong? Nowhere does it say "submit by X and get the renewal by Y date"- rather tis a classic blow you off with no real information. I'd stay on them for "how many days ahead do I need to get the renewal shooting document to you so I have no gap"? Or, if it is running late- do you have a temporary extension you invoke that covers the gap?

 

[ImpulseGundam]

It's not a problem anyways, since expiration is 2/2/26. Already scheduled a renewal class with Saber Tactics next month.

 

[cyfrShooting]

Hi folks,

Just a data point here for other people who may be submitting modification applications to swap out guns on their permit - ever since they disallowed changing pistols between the initial app & initial training, a lot more folks are probably in the boat of:
apply for initial -> receive initial -> apply for modification -> receive modification.

Anyways, I had my qualifications with Saber on Oct 25. I received the certificate from them on Oct 27, and filled out my modification application on Oct 31 with the signed certificate attached; I just received the approval today, Nov 6.

Looks like it's about a week-ish turnaround from application to approval.

Unfortunately, the first available appointments to pick up the new permit are not until the beginning of December.

 

[dilbert40]

RE: Santa Clara Renewals, I was not sure of which three firearms to list, having also contemplated whether to keep SW 329 or replace with IW G20 for hiking on National Forests, and whether to keep small, medium, large, or small, small revo, and large, I got the training done (w/ Saber) first. Then submitted the renewal application once I was happy with my final choices that I used for the training. Start and finish the renewal app in one sitting.
P.S. IW G20 appendix carry is actually not uncomfortable.

 

[NorCalBusa]

RE: Santa Clara Renewals, I was not sure of which three firearms to list, having also contemplated whether to keep SW 329 or replace with IW G20 for hiking on National Forests, and whether to keep small, medium, large, or small, small revo, and large, I got the training done (w/ Saber) first. Then submitted the renewal application once I was happy with my final choices that I used for the training. Start and finish the renewal app in one sitting.
P.S. IW G20 appendix carry is actually not uncomfortable.

Not in Santa Clara County, but switching in/out a gun (that you've qualified) via Permitium is a simple online task. Pick up the new card same/within a few days.

 

[scootle]

For those who have renewed.... If you renew early in that 90-day window, are you effectively losing the remaining time on your permit expiration date?

i.e. My current permit expires in January 2026. If I renew at 90-days from expiration (in October 2025), will my new permit expiration date be January 2028 or will it be October 2027?

Thanks.

So I learned something that may answer some earlier questions/concerns about how our CCW renewals are handled versus the issue/expiration dates.

To be clear, this is not specifically a SCCSO problem, it is a Permitium problem..... it's just that on a 2-year permit cycle, the impact is more significant to us folks in CA. The way it works, the ISSUE date of your CCW permit becomes the new EXPIRATION day of your permit.... so because SCCSO is only a 2-year permit, and allows renewal <90 days from expiration date, you have to be cognizant of the fact that if you renew "early" you will effectively lose a chunk of your 2-year permit cycle in the process.

e.g. My original permit expires in Jan 2026, if I renewed it in Oct 2025 (as soon as they would accept my renewal), the new Expiration would be Oct 2027, not Jan 2028. I'd effectively "lose" ~2-3 months of my 2-year CCW permit validity every single cycle if you renew "early."

I confirmed that my AZ CCW, which is also via Permitium, has the same "problem" -- except those permits are 5-years, so less an issue in the overall scheme.

I am surprised nobody has taken up a lawsuit with Permitium on this matter... we are granted a 2-year permit cycle by law, but effectively get less than that with every renewal cycle. Given the amount of $$$$$$$ we are being taxed for these "2-year" permits, this is really especially onerous.

Funny how our CDLs don't have this problem, you renew them at any time during your renewal window and the expiration date is maintained (on your birthday) regardless of issue date.

Cheers.

 

[NeilDown]

My permit date for my renewal was the date I PICKED UP, not the date it was approved, or the date the application was submitted.
You can schedule a pickup date closer to your expiration if you so choose.

 

[h1144]

Same. My renewal date was based on the date I picked up. The lady at the office told me to schedule pickup near the expiration date of possible.

 

[dilbert40]

FYI on Santa Clara Renewals. With so many renewals coming up, 90 day window to start renewal process is just about right, and if you delay the renewal process, or cause additional delay by not signing “firearm inspection form” (you get this after training course) before uploading, it may get really tight.

Current wait time from “approved and schedule pickup time” (circa Dec 14th) to “available pickup time” is Jan 14th (one slot) and Jan 20th (many slots). So allow for 45 days from all-complete to pickup date. It could get worse if the number of people renewing in this period is increased (I have no data to know for certain but expected).

re: My previous post on training scheduling. Training also has scheduling delay. So schedule training to way early BUT actual training to fall within the 90 renewal window to gain back some pad in schedule challenges.

 

[scootle]

FYI on Santa Clara Renewals. With so many renewals coming up, 90 day window to start renewal process is just about right, and if you delay the renewal process, or cause additional delay by not signing “firearm inspection form” (you get this after training course) before uploading, it may get really tight.

Current wait time from “approved and schedule pickup time” (circa Dec 14th) to “available pickup time” is Jan 14th (one slot) and Jan 20th (many slots). So allow for 45 days from all-complete to pickup date. It could get worse if the number of people renewing in this period is increased (I have no data to know for certain but expected).

re: My previous post on training scheduling. Training also has scheduling delay. So schedule training to way early BUT actual training to fall within the 90 renewal window to gain back some pad in schedule challenges.

Yeah, I was busy over the holiday so I didn't get a chance to schedule the renewal pick up, but as of today 4 Jan, the "first available" appointment to pick up a renewal is 11 Feb. I kid you not. SMDH.

Oh well, I will probably be fine without a (valid) CA CCW for a couple weeks.... right?

 

[ImpulseGundam]

I submitted my paperwork early December after my range qualification, so with the inferred process time, I'm expecting for my CCW to expire. My permit expiration is 2/2/26.

 

[otatop]

I submitted my application for a new CCW today expecting to have to wait several months for an interview and was pleasantly surprised to schedule one for February 3rd.

Are they sticklers about having functional magazine disconnects like the official policy says or is that boilerplate text based on state laws?

 

[tbs2002]

Curious if anyone has received a ccw while being on any sort of anxiety medication.

Santa Clara county here.

 

[ImpulseGundam]

I submitted my application for a new CCW today expecting to have to wait several months for an interview and was pleasantly surprised to schedule one for February 3rd.

Are they sticklers about having functional magazine disconnects like the official policy says or is that boilerplate text based on state laws?

Naisu.

It depends on the trainer you pick and how they verify. Some are sticklers, some are not. Saber Tactics has always passed my guns and they're all off-roster.

 

[dfens]

Question about about modifying initial application? So I'm about ready to apply for my CCW and only have 1 gun that I know for sure and will be listed on the initial application. But how hard is it and what is the process of adding the other 2 later on if I buy them before the actual shooting class?

One gun I'm trying my hardest to track down right away but it's always out of stock or sells real fast the other finding one in time will be a challenge and so I might delegate another from my collection as the the third.

Really want to have both or all three ready to go before applying but I've been putting it off for far too long.

 

[tkc000]

Question about about modifying initial application? So I'm about ready to apply for my CCW and only have 1 gun that I know for sure and will be listed on the initial application. But how hard is it and what is the process of adding the other 2 later on if I buy them before the actual shooting class?

One gun I'm trying my hardest to track down right away but it's always out of stock or sells real fast the other finding one in time will be a challenge and so I might delegate another from my collection as the the third.

Really want to have both or all three ready to go before applying but I've been putting it off for far too long.

I would highly recommend submitting an application with your current gun, just to get the ball rolling.

To my knowledge about this process (which may be out dated), it’s very difficult/impossible to modify your application during the application process. Modification request or add-ons/removals after your initial application has been approved + license granted aren’t too difficult

You just need to apply for a modification, qualify with the new guns, and submit your paperwork

It’s better to be able to carry something than to not be able to carry anything

 

[30Kal]

Question about about modifying initial application? So I'm about ready to apply for my CCW and only have 1 gun that I know for sure and will be listed on the initial application. But how hard is it and what is the process of adding the other 2 later on if I buy them before the actual shooting class?

One gun I'm trying my hardest to track down right away but it's always out of stock or sells real fast the other finding one in time will be a challenge and so I might delegate another from my collection as the the third.

Really want to have both or all three ready to go before applying but I've been putting it off for far too long.

It's frustrating, but you cannot modify your application once filed with the SCCSD. You'll need to get your permit to issue with the gun(s) you originally listed on the application first. You can then go through the add/modify process via Permitium. To speed things up, bring any guns that you want to add and qualify with them to your initial CCW class (make sure to give your instructor a heads-up). You can then get an updated certification without having to go through another class to file with your modification. It will take a week or two to process, and then you have to make an appointment to pick up the new permit (which could add 2-3 more weeks depending on availability).