Firearms: emergency concealed carry permits.

Existing law prohibits a person from carrying a concealed firearm or carrying a loaded firearm in public. 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 exempts from the prohibition against carrying a loaded firearm in public, a person who reasonably believes they are in immediate grave danger, as specified. This bill would authorize a person who, because of prior victimization or based on specific articulable facts, reasonably believes that they are in immediate and grave danger of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, as specified, to apply to the sheriff in the county in which they reside for a temporary emergency license to carry a concealed firearm. The bill would require the sheriff to immediately issue an emergency license to such a person if that person submits a signed affidavit describing their circumstances. The bill would authorize the sheriff to verify the applicant's eligibility to receive a license, as specified, but would require such verification to be completed without delay and at the time of application. The bill would also allow an applicant to simultaneously apply for a regular license to carry a concealed firearm and would require such a license to be approved within the period the emergency license is valid, contingent on the applicant's eligibility and completion of the requirements for a regular license. The bill would require that the facts that provide eligibility for the granting of an emergency license establish good cause for the eligibility of the regular license. The bill would require the Department of Justice to complete the fingerprint report for a regular license applied for pursuant to this bill within 21 days. By placing new requirements on county sheriffs to accept and process applications for emergency licenses. This bill would impose a state mandate. 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.