Amid Stricter State Guidelines, Humboldt County Sheriff Expresses Support of Constitutional Right for Lawful Carrying of Concealed Weapons

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal 

Message from Sheriff Honsal regarding CCW:

Due to the passage of SB2 and the recent emergency Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) regulations proposed by the Attorney General, I have received several inquiries regarding the status of issuing CCW here in Humboldt County as of January 1, 2024. While legal challenges are working through the court system, and the state lawmakers with the Attorney General debate the right to carry concealed weapons (CCW), I would like to clearly state my support for the lawful carrying of concealed weapons as a fundamental expression of individual rights protected by the United States Constitution.

I recognize that the Second Amendment has been the subject of an ongoing debate, and states do have the authority to regulate certain aspects of carrying concealed weapons. However, I believe that responsible, lawful gun owners and law-abiding citizens should be afforded the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights within the framework of appropriate regulations and safeguards. The State of California has overstepped its authority and gone too far with recent legislation and emergency rule making citing a public safety concern with CCW holders. The new laws and emergency rules are overregulating the issuance and control of CCW permits, as well as further restricting the locations where a lawful CCW holder can possess a firearm.

In rural Northern California, CCW holders are NOT the citizens responsible for perpetrating gun crimes. Currently, we have over 2000 CCW holders in Humboldt County. These CCW holders have been proven to be responsible and law-abiding community members. The following are the CCW requirements:

o Be of good moral character (Penal Code § 26150; Penal Code § 26155)
o Full-time resident of Humboldt County (Penal Code § 26150; Penal Code
§ 26155)
o Be at least 21 years old (Penal Code § 29610)
o Own and have a gun registered in California (Penal Code 25850(c)(6))
o Not have any open/pending criminal cases or pending criminal citations
o Not have any felony convictions or specified misdemeanors per Penal Code
Sections 29900-29905
o Not be on active probation
o Be free from any psychological conditions that might make the applicant
unsuitable for carrying a firearm (Penal Code § 26190)

For me to approve and sign off on a CCW permit, an applicant must undergo two days of training, a comprehensive background check, an in-person interview, weapons verification, and a California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) / FBI criminal history screening to verify applicant is authorized to possess a firearm.

With a county that is 4000 square miles and lacks law enforcement resources, I believe that empowering responsible citizens to carry concealed weapons contributes to the safety and security of our communities. By promoting responsible gun ownership and ensuring that individuals have the means to protect themselves and their loved ones, we can foster a community that feels safe and secure.

I, along with many California State Sheriffs, remain committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with our lawmakers, Attorney General, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies to find common ground that respects individual rights while addressing legitimate concerns. I would encourage our lawmakers and the Attorney General to stop focusing on CCW holders and focus on real identified problems and current gun laws, such as Felon in Possession of a Firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)). This is a huge problem in the state and yet, there have not been recent changes to the sentencing guidelines that mandate a state prison sentence for those who violate this law. We need to encourage responsible gun ownership and discourage those who should not be possessing a firearm. If you believe the same way, please contact your State Lawmakers to request changes in this law that will hold those criminals accountable.

I encourage our Humboldt County CCW holders to continue to carry in those areas where they can lawfully possess their firearms. With the recent CCW law changes, I support those applicable private businesses and places of worship to post the attached sign to allow licensed CCW holders to lawfully carry on their properties pursuant to CA Pen. Code 26230.

As Sheriff, I will continue to advocate for a balanced and sensible approach to concealed carry laws in California, one that takes into account the rights of law-abiding citizens while addressing concerns related to public safety.

Those that are interested in learning more about CCWs or applying, please visit our website: https://humboldtgov.org/342/Concealed-Weapons-Permit
.