Scrutiny for gun permits gets tighter
Psychological exam added, background checks stricter
By JULIA REYNOLDS
Herald Staff Writermontereyherald.com
Posted: 02/23/2012 10:14:49 PM PST
February 24, 2012 11:2 PM GMT Updated: 02/24/2012 03:02:00 PM PST
Click photo to enlarge�1�When then-candidate for sheriff Scott Miller announced he would ease the application process for firearms carrying permits in Monterey County, Second Amendment advocates were thrilled.
"If you just say you want to carry a gun for personal protection, we consider that good cause," Miller said of a dramatic change in the office's long-standing requirement that applicants provide detailed justifications of why they're at risk and should be allowed to carry concealed guns in public.
When Miller took office in 2011, websites frequented by gun owners buzzed with hopeful chatter that Monterey County had finally loosened up.
But they soon grew disillusioned. The nonprofit pro-gun rights group Calguns Foundation sent a letter to Miller in August demanding he end delays in developing his new policy and "immediately begin accepting all applications."
He did.
But public records show that while Miller has thrown wide open the definition of what constitutes good cause to carry a firearm, he has also imposed far stricter background checks and added a psychological exam to the requirements.
The result has been a considerably lower approval rate for concealed weapons permits in what gun enthusiasts had already labeled a "no issue to regular citizens" county. On a map of California published by Calguns, Monterey is shown among the state's stingiest counties when it comes to issuing weapons carrying permits.
State law requires that all applicants meet a few vaguely
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defined requirements, and because the permits are issued by local police chiefs and sheriffs, the end result of who gets a permit is wildly inconsistent around the state.
As elected officials, sheriffs are often accused of political favoritism when their friends or campaign contributors are granted permits for carrying a concealed weapon, known as CCW permits.
Besides passing a criminal background check, applicants are required to live or work in the county, be of "good moral character" and show what the state simply describes as "good cause" for needing to carry a personal firearm.
Traditionally, the permits are regularly issued to judges, prosecutors and retired police officers � those considered to be potential targets of violent criminals.
In Monterey County, records show that "good cause" for a permit has varied from specific death threats to concerns about occasionally venturing into unsafe neighborhoods.
Some appear to be boilerplate justifications that are copied and pasted over and over in applications.
One Monterey County agriculture executive wrote in his successful 2010 application, "I am continually carrying a lot of cash ... I wear expensive jewelry."
Miller said the application process "was really uneven and undemocratic." Now, he said, "virtually anyone can apply."
Applicants can simply state a desire for personal protection on their forms. But the change doesn't mean getting a gun permit has become any easier.
"While it's open to everyone, that doesn't mean everyone gets one," Miller said. "In our last batch, we had 18 approved and 11 rejected. If we have one reason that makes you look like a queasy CCW holder, you won't get one."
For the first time, applicants must undergo a psychological exam that can take several hours. In addition, deputies interview neighbors, spouses, friends and co-workers and have applicants undergo a voice stress analysis.
"Before, the application was given to a deputy who'd drive by to see if the lawn was mowed," Miller said.
"It's not like the CCW process of yesteryear," said sheriff's Chief Chuck Monarque, who in the past has screened applications. "Before, you would list your reason as to why you need a firearm. But now you do have to go through a much more in-depth background process."
The reason, he said, is "to ensure we don't put people out there in the community with a firearm that shouldn't have it. It's a huge responsibility."
Although Miller's office delayed processing new applications for much of last year while the new rules were worked out, application numbers increased from 39 in 2010 to 44 in 2011.
Denials also increased � almost half of last year's applicants were turned down, compared with less than a quarter rejected under former Sheriff Mike Kanalakis.
Despite the higher denial rate, Monterey County still has more active permits � 128 � than Santa Clara County, which had 113 current CCW permits as of December.
One group routinely granted the permits has been Monterey County's all-volunteer Aero Squadron, a group of about 20 pilots who give free flight services to local government officials and help with search and rescue missions.
"I would always say OK to the aero squad guys," Monarque said. "They have more firearms training than a deputy has in a year. So I would say yes to them."
Miller said he is not planning to apply the new background checks to those who are renewing existing permits. For most, the carry licenses expire in two years, although judges and a few other groups are given three-year permits.
Applications go from investigators to a commander and Undersheriff Max Houser. Denials are all reviewed by Miller, who said he hasn't overturned any since he took office.
Julia Reynolds can be reached at 648-1187 or jreynolds
montereyherald.com.
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Concealed weapons permit approval rates
Applications Approved Denied Withdrawn Approval Rate
Sheriff Mike Kanalakis 2009 20 15 3 2 75%
2010 39 30 9 0 76%
Sheriff Scott Miller 2011 44 25 15 4 56%
Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
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Concealed weapons permits by county
The number of permits in selected counties. The numbers were compiled in November.
Alameda � 140
Contra Costa � 186
Monterey � 128*
Santa Clara � 113
Santa Cruz � 27
* Monterey's total is as of Feb. 22
Note: the article goes on to list by name everyone in the county who has a permit. I didn't want to post it here. JN