Firearms: license to carry concealed weapons.

Existing law authorizes the sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm to an applicant for that license if the applicant is of good moral character, good cause exists for issuance of the license, the applicant meets specified residency requirements, and the applicant has completed a specified course of training, including firearm safety. This bill would require the Department of Justice to issue a license to carry a handgun concealed upon the person, if certain requirements are met and fees paid. The bill would specify the information, required for the application for the license, what data would be displayed on the license, and fees for issuance of a license, amendment, or replacement of a license. The bill would provide that the license would be valid for 5 years from issuance, unless canceled by the licensee or revoked for cause. The bill would create a misdemeanor for submission of false information on a license application, and a felony for submission of false statements on a license application, as specified. By creating new crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.