CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON LICENSE FEES
Presentation to the Finance Committee for a Concealed Carry Weapon license program fee schedule.
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
• Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency
• Community Engagement and Outreach
SUMMARY
After a change to State law regarding issuance of Concealed Carry Weapon licenses, the SLPD has developed a program to meet the statutory requirements. Costs for the program have been identified, a fee schedule was developed and is being recommended.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Implement a Conceal Carry Weapon (CCW) license process for the San Leandro Police Department and approval for the recommended fee schedule as follows:
Standard Initial License (2 year) - $404.00
Judicial Initial License (3 year) - $433.00
Reserve Police Officer Initial License (4 years) - $450.00
Employment Initial License (90 days) - $349.00
Standard Renewal License (2 years) - $363.00
Judicial Renewal License (3 years) - $385.00
Reserve Police Officer Renewal License (4 years) - $396.00
Employment Renewal License (90 days) - $382.00
Duplicate - $15.00 (Need to replace a lost identification card.)
Modification - $35.00 (Needed for a change in application information such as a change of address still within the agency’s jurisdiction.)
BACKGROUND
In June 2022, the Supreme Court issued a decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (2002) 597 U.S._[142 S.Ct. 2111] holding that requirements to show “proper cause” to carry firearms are unconstitutional. As California law had such conditions the legislature was required to be responsive. Senate Bill 2 (SB2) replaced “good cause” and “good moral character” requirements.
Historically, CCW issuance processes were handled by the Office of the Sheriff in the county of applicant’s residential or primary work (related to the “good cause” clause) jurisdiction. The change to California state law regarding CCWs resulted in a surge of applications by citizens throughout the state. Sheriffs in many counties, including Alameda County, have reached out to their law enforcement partners in municipalities for discussion around the permit process considering the impact of the change in legislation. On January 19, 2024, SLPD received a letter from Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez asserting her organization would only be accepting CCW applications for residents of her jurisdiction as of March 1, 2024. This deadline was changed to April 1, 2024 as agencies have needed more time to implement a CCW license program in their organizations. This announcement now puts the onus of CCW applications for residents of San Leandro on the SLPD necessitating a need for SLPD to develop a CCW license process.
There are currently 44 existing CCW permits held by residents of San Leandro approved by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). In addition, there are 142 pending applications submitted by San Leandro residents to the ACSO. The ACSO committed to processing the pending permits however it is important to note the renewal of these permits along with the existing permits will be the responsibility of SLPD going forward in addition to new permits applications received in the future. It is reasonable to expect SLPD will process between 200-300 permits on an annual basis.
Staff researched CCW licensing programs in three counties; Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano to learn best practices. Of most concern was the amount of staff time that will be consumed by the licensing process and the fiscal implications associated with the required process therefore an analysis of application fees was conducted. A retired annuitant position has been recommended to fill the position of CCW Coordinator to alleviate the anticipated strain on full-time staff members. Staff also engaged in a service contract with Permitium software for processing applications and collecting fees.
Analysis
Below is an accounting of the involved costs leading to the recommended fee schedule.
• Retired annuitant hourly pay as the CCW Coordinator - $70.97
o Four (4) hours of staff time per application have been allocated for a total of $283.88.
• State fee (DOJ):
o Standard Initial License - $93.00
o Standard Renewal License - $52.00
o Judicial Initial License - $122.00
o Judicial Renewal License - $74.00
o Reserve Police Officer Initial License - $139.00
o Reserve Police Officer Renewal License - $96.00
o Employment Initial License - $38.00
o Employment Renewal License - $71.00
• Permitium fee - $15.00
o Cost of the software is $3,000.00 for a one-year subscription. The $15.00 fee was determined by the anticipated 200 applications processed in a year’s time.
• Internet search fee - $12.00
Standard Initial License (2 year) - $403.88 - Recommend $404.00
Judicial Initial License (3 year) - $432.88 - Recommended $433.00
Reserve Initial License (4 years) - $449.88 - Recommended $450.00
Employment Initial License (90 days) - $348.88 - Recommended $349.00
Standard Renewal License (2 years) - $362.88 - Recommended $363.00
Judicial Renewal License (3 years) - $384.88 - Recommended $385.00
Reserve Renewal License (4 years) - $395.88 - Recommended $396.00
Employment Renewal License (90 days) - $381.88 - Recommended $382.00
Duplicate - $15.00
Modification - $35.00
Current Agency Policies
• Police Lexipol Policy 206 -License to Carry a Firearm
Financial Impacts
No fund appropriation is required as the recommended fee schedule is intended to make this program cost neutral as required by state law.
This Council action was not budgeted and will require an appropriation of $0 for this program that will draw down the General Fund’s undesignated fund balance.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Concealed Carry Weapon Licensing process explained.
o CCW Licensing Process
PREPARED BY: Kevin E. Hart, Interim Chief, Police Department