Lucky for us, Los Angeles Police Department (incorporated city in LA County) makes it super easy to obtain a CCW License. The backlog however is another story and I wont mention that or the politics behind it. This is just a step by step on HOW to obtain the license.
First, inform your self by visiting:
Step 1
Cheat sheet for qualifying for a LAPD CCW license:
In my interview, I gave them all the pertinent paperwork from the issuing PD and the DA. I still got my CCW application approved with no issues.
Back on topic, in these steps:
I cannot stress this enough, be PATIENT. There is a huge backlog.
Regarding on where to go for the in-person interview and the final pick up?
Initial interview:
Yellow is where you will PARK your car.
Red is where you WALK to the green gate and check in "I am coming for my CCW interview" and they will just point up
Keep walking on the red line to the pink building, there you will walk to the second floor and will see a CCW interview sign, and thats the place you want.
For the final CCW license pick up:
Par anywhere in the yellow box and walk to in the red line and at the front desk, tell them you are there to pick up your CCW and done.
Hope this helps and if I missed something, let me know and I will update!
This post is from MY experience from when I applied for my CCW (October 2022) and picked it up (December 2023). I would have gotten it sooner but there was nothing like this to guide me and did things out of order which delayed my CCW.
First, inform your self by visiting:
Step 1
Cheat sheet for qualifying for a LAPD CCW license:
- Do you live in LA CITY? (hint, are the police cars black and white and say on the side LAPD?) IF yes, jump to next, if not, this post doesn't apply to you
- Are you over the age of 21? If yes, jump to next, if not, wait until 21
- Can you buy a gun now? If yes, jump to next, if not, this post doesn't apply to you and talk to attorney to get your rights back
- In the past 10 years have you basically: been convicted with a violent, weapons, drug, hate crime? (sources: (main PC 26202), PC 422.6, PC 422.7, PC 422.75, PC 29805, and more) if yes, you can't apply for CCW with the LAPD, if no, apply with the LAPD but have any pertinent paperwork from the issuing department saying what happened and when.
- Loaded gun (12031(A)(1))
- CCW (12025(A)(1))
- 211 (PC)
In my interview, I gave them all the pertinent paperwork from the issuing PD and the DA. I still got my CCW application approved with no issues.
Back on topic, in these steps:
- download the LAPD CCW application
- email your name, mailing address and phone number to [email protected] to be put on waiting list to schedule in-person interview
- wait to be contacted for in-person interview (this will be MONTHS so be patient)
- once you get your in-person interview scheduled:
- get a cashiers check OR money order for the initial fee ($53)
- get your LiveScan application done by choosing one of these places (CA DOJ approved LiveScan locations) and paying from $90 to $120 (depending on the location)
- choose, schedule and pay a LAPD certified CCW course (prices range from $200 to $500)
- have all YOUR paperwork ready (2 forms of ID and any/all supporting paperwork if you have been convicted of a crime)
- on the day of the interview, take with you the above (if applicable) and the location they send you for the interview is here. (see below on where exactly it is)
- interview will be quick and simple, give them check, paperwork, they will ask you questions and thats it. You will be in there with about 5 other doing the same
- since you did LiveScan already and training, you are just waiting for approval
- wait to be contacted for approval and pick up date
- go to pick up at LAPD Headquarters, located here. Take your ID and your final cashiers check or money order for $215
I cannot stress this enough, be PATIENT. There is a huge backlog.
Regarding on where to go for the in-person interview and the final pick up?
Initial interview:
Yellow is where you will PARK your car.
Red is where you WALK to the green gate and check in "I am coming for my CCW interview" and they will just point up
Keep walking on the red line to the pink building, there you will walk to the second floor and will see a CCW interview sign, and thats the place you want.
For the final CCW license pick up:
Par anywhere in the yellow box and walk to in the red line and at the front desk, tell them you are there to pick up your CCW and done.
Hope this helps and if I missed something, let me know and I will update!
This post is from MY experience from when I applied for my CCW (October 2022) and picked it up (December 2023). I would have gotten it sooner but there was nothing like this to guide me and did things out of order which delayed my CCW.
