In Orange County, California thousands of applicants have filed for concealed weapon permits following a federal court decision in February 2014. The ruling struck down California’s “good cause” standard for issuing concealed carry permits. The February 2014 court ruling by three U.S. Ninth Circuit Court judges means people who want the permits don’t have to state a ‘good cause’ to get one. Those “causes” have included people carrying large sums of money or private investigators.

In California, county sheriff’s and police chiefs issue the permits — called CCWs — after an interview, a background check and proof of firearms training — including safety, proficiency and liability. The “good cause” was part of the screening process. California Attorney General Kamala Harris has appealed the decision.

“Local law enforcement must be able to use their discretion to determine who can carry a concealed weapon,” Harris stated. “I will do everything possible to restore law enforcement’s authority to protect public safety, and so today am calling on the court to review and reverse its decision.” The ruling in the San Diego (Peruta v. San Diego) case has many county sheriff’s departments, including Los Angeles and San Diego, awaiting an appeal or final instructions before issuing new permits.

Read more at: scpr.org