BILL NUMBER: AB 1563 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 22, 2014
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Donnelly
JANUARY 29, 2014
An act to amend Sections 26150 and 26155
repeal and add Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26150) of Division
5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code, relating to firearms.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1563, as amended, Donnelly. Firearms: license to carry
concealed weapons.
Existing law authorizes the sheriff of a county or the chief or
other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and
county to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm to an
applicant for that license if the applicant is of good moral
character, good cause exists for issuance of the license, the
applicant meets specified residency requirements, and the applicant
has completed a specified course of training, including firearm
safety.
This bill would require the sheriff or head of a municipal police
department to issue that license if the applicant meets those
requirements. The bill would also specify that good cause, for
purposes of these provisions, includes personal protection or
self-defense. Because the bill would impose new duties on local law
enforcement officials who would be required to issue these licenses
if all of the requirements are met, the bill would impose 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 these
statutory provisions.
This bill would require the Department of Justice to issue a
license to carry a handgun concealed upon the person, if certain
requirements are met and fees paid. The bill would specify the
information, required for the application for the license, what data
would be displayed on the license, and fees for issuance of a
license, amendment, or replacement of a license. The bill would
provide that the license would be valid for 5 years from issuance,
unless canceled by the licensee or revoked for cause. The bill would
create a misdemeanor for submission of false information on a license
application, and a felony for submission of false statements on a
license application, as specified. By creating new crimes, this bill
would impose 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 no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section
26150) of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal
Code is repealed.
SEC. 2. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26150)
is added to Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal
Code , to read:
CHAPTER 4. LICENSE TO CARRY A PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER
FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON THE PERSON
26150. (a) The Department of Justice shall issue a license to
carry a concealed handgun upon the person within 30 days of
submission of a completed application for a new license or renewal of
a license to carry a concealed handgun upon the person. A completed
application shall consist of the following:
(1) An application form signed by the applicant.
(2) Fingerprints submitted to the department, in a manner
prescribed by the department.
(3) A fee, not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100), to pay the
reasonable costs for the department to complete a criminal background
check, and if approved, a license to carry a concealed handgun upon
the person.
(4) For a new license and renewal of a license, a course of
training that may be any course acceptable to the department, that
does not exceed eight hours, and that includes instruction, at a
minimum, on firearm safety and the law requiring the permissible use
of a firearm. A course of training shall not be required for a person
certified by the department as a trainer for purposes of this
section.
(5) Two recent passport-size color full face photographs of the
applicant.
(b) If the applicant does not have a valid California driver's
license or a California state identification card, or has not been a
resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days, the
department shall have up to 60 days from the date of submission of
the application to issue a license.
(c) The department shall not issue a license to a person who is
prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
(d) If the license is denied, the department shall provide written
notice that explains the reason for the denial and the process by
which the applicant may appeal the denial.
(e) A license issued pursuant to this section is valid throughout
the state except upon a premise where possession or carrying a
firearm is prohibited by state or federal law.
26155. (a) Applications for licenses or amendments to licenses,
amendments to licenses, and licenses shall be uniform throughout the
state, on forms prescribed by the Attorney General.
(b) The application shall include a section summarizing the
statutory provisions of state law that result in the automatic denial
or revocation of a license issued pursuant to this article.
(c) The application for a new or renewal license shall require the
following information from the applicant:
(1) The name, residence address, telephone number, driver's
license and state of issue, if the applicant has a valid driver's
license, and, at the option of the applicant, the applicant's email
address.
(2) The applicant's date and place of birth, height, weight, eye
color, and hair color.
(3) Unambiguous responses to the same or materially similar
questions contained in Sections 11 to 14, inclusive, of Part 1 of
Form 4473, issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives.
(d) Applications for licenses and for renewal licenses, license
amendments, and applications for license amendments shall be in
writing and signed by the applicant.
(e) The department shall not charge more than twenty-five dollars
($25) to process an amendment to a license, and if required, to issue
a new license. A new license issued for the purpose of incorporating
an amendment shall not constitute a renewal license or extend the
period of validity of the license.
(f) Applications for a license, renewal of a license or amendment
to a license shall contain a provision requiring the applicant to
attest to the truth of the statements in the application.
(g) An applicant shall not be required to complete any additional
application or form for a license, or to provide any information
other than that necessary to complete the application form, except to
clarify or interpret information provided by the applicant on the
application form.
(h) A signed application for a license to carry a concealed
handgun shall constitute a waiver of confidentiality and a written
request that all federal, state, and local agencies, as well as
private mental health institutions and other health care facilities,
release information relevant to the applicant's eligibility for a
license to an inquiring court or law enforcement agency.
(i) Licenses issued pursuant to this article shall be produced and
mailed by the department and shall be constructed of, and printed
on, a durable, tamper-resistant polymer card of a size equal or
similar to a driver's license. The license shall display the licensee'
s full face photograph in color, and shall list the true full name,
home address, date of birth, height, weight, eye color, hair color,
gender, license issue and expiration dates, and the license's unique
identifying number used by the department.
(j) A license shall be valid for a period of five years unless
canceled by the licensee or revoked for cause.
(k) The department may charge a licensee a reasonable fee not to
exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the replacement of a lost or
damaged license.
(l) A license may be renewed within 120 days prior to the license'
s expiration date.
(m) A licensee who, as a member of the Armed Forces, including the
National Guard and Armed Forces reserves, is unable to renew his or
her license because of the licensee's assignment, reassignment, or
deployment for out-of-state military service may renew his or her
license within 90 days after the person returns to California from
out-of-state military service, if the person provides the a copy of
the licensee's original order designating the specific period of
assignment, reassignment, or deployment for out-of-state military
service, and a copy of the licensee's discharge or amended or
subsequent assignment, reassignment, or deployment order back to
California, as applicable. A license renewed pursuant to this
subdivision shall take effect on the expiration date of the prior
license.
(n) If a license applicant has a license issued pursuant to this
article, or if the applicant's fingerprints have been previously sent
to the department, as provided in Section 21650, the licensing
authority shall note on the copy of any subsequent license
application submitted by that person, the previous identification
number and other data in the department's files that could provide
positive identification, and no additional fingerprints shall be
required.
26160. (a) A person who submits an application knowing that any
statement contained therein is false is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on the
application regarding any of the following is guilty of a felony:
(1) The denial or revocation of a license, or the denial of an
amendment to a license, issued pursuant to this article.
(2) A criminal conviction.
(3) A finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.
(4) The use of a controlled substance.
(5) A dishonorable discharge from military service.
(6) A commitment to a mental institution.
(7) A renunciation of United States citizenship.
26165. A licensee shall notify the department in writing within
30 days of any change in the licensee's place of residence.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act
pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution.
SECTION 1. Section 26150 of the Penal Code is
amended to read:
26150. (a) When a person applies for a license to carry a pistol,
revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the
person, the sheriff of a county shall issue a license to that person
upon proof of all of the following:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character.
(2) (A) Good cause exists for issuance of the license.
(B) For purposes of this subdivision, "good cause" includes, but
is not limited to, personal protection or self-defense.
(3) The applicant is a resident of the county or a city within the
county, or the applicant's principal place of employment or business
is in the county or a city within the county and the applicant
spends a substantial period of time in that place of employment or
business.
(4) The applicant has completed a course of training as described
in Section 26165.
(b) The sheriff may issue a license under subdivision (a) in
either of the following formats:
(1) A license to carry concealed a pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
(2) If the population of the county is less than 200,000 persons
according to the most recent federal decennial census, a license to
carry loaded and exposed in only that county a pistol, revolver, or
other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
SEC. 2. Section 26155 of the Penal Code is
amended to read:
26155. (a) When a person applies for a license to carry a pistol,
revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the
person, the chief or other head of a municipal police department of
any city or city and county shall issue a license to that person upon
proof of all of the following:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character.
(2) (A) Good cause exists for issuance of the license.
(B) For purposes of this subdivision, "good cause" includes, but
is not limited to, personal protection or self-defense.
(3) The applicant is a resident of that city.
(4) The applicant has completed a course of training as described
in Section 26165.
(b) The chief or other head of a municipal police department may
issue a license under subdivision (a) in either of the following
formats:
(1) A license to carry concealed a pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
(2) If the population of the county in which the city is located
is less than 200,000 persons according to the most recent federal
decennial census, a license to carry loaded and exposed in only that
county a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being
concealed upon the person.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the chief or other head
of a municipal police department of any city from entering an
agreement with the sheriff of the county in which the city is located
for the sheriff to process all applications for licenses, renewals
of licenses, and amendments to licenses, pursuant to this chapter.
SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates
determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of
Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.