Firearms: concealed carry licenses.

Existing law prohibits a person from carrying a concealed firearm. Existing law authorizes the sheriff of a county, or the chief or other head of a municipal police department, if good cause exists for the issuance, and subject to certain other criteria, to issue a license to carry a concealed handgun or to carry a loaded and exposed handgun, as specified. Existing law prohibits the possession of a firearm in certain specified locations, including in a state or local public building, in a public transit facility or aboard a public transit vehicle, or in a state park. Existing law provides an exemption from these prohibitions for persons who possess a valid license to carry a concealed firearm. Existing law additionally prohibits the possession of a firearm in certain other locations, but does not provide an exemption for persons who possess a valid license to carry a concealed firearm. These locations include gun shows, polling places, labor demonstrations, the State Capitol, and the grounds of a school. This bill would require the sheriff of a county, or the chief or other head of a municipal police department, to issue a license to carry a concealed handgun or to carry a loaded and exposed handgun, as specified, to an applicant who meets the criteria specified in existing law, but would not require the applicant to demonstrate good cause for issuance of the license. This bill would exempt the holder of a valid license to carry a concealed firearm from prosecution under any state law or regulation that prohibits the possession of a firearm within any specified location. By requiring local law enforcement authorities to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm, this bill would create 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.