California going shall issue

[ExurbanKevin]

Well now it gets interesting.

Law-abiding Californians may not need to justify their need to carry concealed weapons, after the same three-judge panel that struck down restrictions on the permits earlier this year ruled Wednesday that it is too late for new opponents to join the fight against the ruling. 

The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would bar other law enforcement officials, including state Attorney General Kamala Harris, from gaining "intervener status" to join in further challenges of its ruling in a case originally brought by an independent journalist who sued the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department over its policy of requiring a specific reason for being allowed to carry a concealed weapon in public.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore has said he will not fight the ruling, meaning there is no one with standing left to challenge the decision made in February.

With the 9th Circuit ruling one way and the 5th Circuit ruling another way, the Supreme Court will probably pick this up. Whether or not they rule as they did in Heller vs. D.C. and McDonald vs. Chicago remains to be seen.

[mortdooley]

I'll believe it when I see it! California worked very hard to be the land of fruits and nets, look how often they elect them.

[vincewarde]

I'll believe it when I see it! California worked very hard to be the land of fruits and nets, look how often they elect them.

Actually, a quiet revolution has been going on for some time.  Many more rural counties have been virtual shall issue - or nearly so - for some time.  California counties, prior to the ruling fell into four categories prior to the ruling:

Virtual Shall Issue - In these counties, you simply write in the huge space provided for explanation of your good cause "self defense" and if you pass the training and the background check, you will get a permit.  Some counties got this way because the Sheriff promised to do this when the ran for office and some adopted the policy rather than fight lawsuits they were likely to lose.  Sacramento County - home of our capital - has been virtual shall issue for several years as the result of settling a lawsuit.  The uber liberals living there have been blissfully ignorant.

Near Virtual Shall Issue - In these counties, you need to come up with a reason, but almost anything will work. 

May Issue - In these counties you need to prove that you face a unique threat, but permits are actually issued in fairly large numbers.

No Issue - In these counties, you can apply but you will not be approved.

Thankfully, I live in a virtually shall issue county.

BTW, I was waiting for my wife today and read an article on concealed carry in Time magazine.  Several pages long, it was more than fair - it was basically factual and positive.  When that happens the issue has largely been decided.