For The First Time In Recent History, Beaumont Police Now Accepting CCW Applications

BEAUMONT, CA — Beaumont residents can now start applying to carry concealed weapons directly through the local police department, the agency announced Wednesday. Beaumont police say they will immediately begin taking applications via a partnership with myccw.us. They are the second city in the county to use the company, following the lead of Murrieta.

Until now, residents interested in obtaining a CCW needed to apply via the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which has a notorious backlog of permitting requests. The agency recently told The Press Enterprise that they get approximately 120 applications a month in addition to renewal requests.

"Beaumont Police Department has partnered with myccw.us to process Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) Permits for residents of the City of Beaumont," police said in a Facebook post Wednesday. "You can visit the Beaumont Police Department website at www.beaumontpd.org/ccw for specific instructions on how to apply for a permit and what the restrictions/qualifications are for obtaining a permit, as well as the fee schedule.
CCW Permits are limited to City of Beaumont residents ONLY."

Those who do not have access to the internet to submit an application can pick up a paper copy at the front lobby of the police station at 660 Orange Avenue.

Beaumont police say they determined this is a service that can be provided to its residents due to the current wait time at the sheriff's department, which is approximately 22 months. The process will cost applicants approximately $900 in total fees for things like a psychological evaluation and a background check. Only $100 of the money goes to the police department, as an administrative fee for the process, BPD tells Patch.

Beaumont Police Chief Sean Thuilliez will authorize or deny the requests as the come in.

"The police chief believed Beaumont residents should have the ability to protect themselves with the option to legally and responsibly carry a concealed firearm," he wrote in a staff report to council earlier this month. "Due to this concept, the wait for the initial interview and the continued deferment is not consistent with the service delivery that the chief prefers."

Police estimate that the new processing time for CCW requests will be approximately three to four months.

"The Beaumont Police Department is pleased to offer this service to the citizens of Beaumont as a tool for personal protection and with the overall goal for increased public safety," Thuilliez said in the staff report, which also details the overall process.

Those interested in a CCW can also still apply via the sheriff's department if they prefer.

"In order to be eligible, applicants must meet minimum statutory requirements and demonstrate 'good cause,'" the permitting site states. It lists the following restrictions as well:

• According to State and Federal law, it is unlawful for certain persons to own and/or possess firearms. CCW applicants will be fingerprinted and state records will be checked to determine if they are in a prohibiting class.
• Any person who has a conviction for any misdemeanor listed in California Penal Code 29508 including a domestic violence misdemeanor; or for any felony; or is addicted to the use of any narcotic drug; or has been held involuntarily as a danger to self or others pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 8103 is prohibited from buying, owning, or possessing firearms.
• Other prohibitions include, but are not limited to: certain mental conditions, domestic restraining/protective orders, conditions of probation, and offenses committed as a juvenile.
• See Firearms Prohibiting Categories & Misdemeanors for more information.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone