Firearm Permit
Firearms Requirements for Security Guards
Even if you are licensed or registered in the security, alarm, or private investigation fields, you may not carry a gun on duty - whether loaded or unloaded - unless you have been issued an exposed firearm permit by the Department of Consumer Affairs. You must keep the permit with you at all times while on duty.
Note: It is illegal for a licensee or registrant to carry a CONCEALED weapon on duty without a permit issued by local authorities.
Filing an Application
To apply for a firearm permit, you must:
- Take a 14-hour course (8 hours classroom, 6 hours range) in the carrying and use of firearms given by a Bureau- certified firearms training instructor at a Bureau certified training facility
- Pass the written and range exams given at the end of the course
- Be a United States citizen or have permanent legal alien status; and
- Submit a firearm permit application, pay an $80 application fee and submit a Live Scan form (which is appropriate to your license or registration) signed by the Live Scan site operator. A $38 Firearm Eligibility application, $32 Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint processing fee and $17 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint processing fee must be paid at the Live Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.
Classroom Training-During your eight hours of classroom training, you will learn moral and legal aspects of firearms use, firearms nomenclature, weapons handling and shooting fundamentals, and emergency procedures.
Range Training-The six hours of range training will give you practice in safely handling and firing your weapon. You must requalify on the range twice a year before renewing your permit.
Shoot Safe Learning
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