Hollister
– Few locals are packing heat. In fact, fewer San Benito County
residents have permits to carry concealed weapons than in just
about every other county in California.
Hollister – Few locals are packing heat. In fact, fewer San Benito County residents have permits to carry concealed weapons than in just about every other county in California.
With 20 to 25 active concealed weapon permits, according to San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici, San Benito has one of the lowest permit counts of any county in California. San Francisco County has 10 active concealed weapon permits, the lowest number in the state, according to the California Attorney General’s office. The percentage of residents with concealed weapon permits in San Benito is 0.00035 percent, second lowest to San Francisco County, with 0.00013 percent.
“We don’t get aproached a lot about concealed weapons,” Turturici said.
Sheriff Curtis Hill estimated the department gets a renewal request every other month and a new applicant every six months.
“There’s always a lot of press and concern about concealed weapon permits,” Hill said. “In this county it’s almost a non-factor.”
The interest in concealed weapon permits is just not there, Hill said.
“We probably have maybe 10 more than we had a dozen years ago,” Hill said.
According to the Sheriff’s Department Web site, applicants will not be considered if they do not reside in San Benito County, with a business exception; are not United States citizens; have any criminal history, including substance or alcohol abuse; have a dishonorable discharge from military service; have a history of mental illness; were previously denied a license to carry a concealed weapon; have had a concealed weapon permit revoked; have a history of violence or unstable personality; are not physically able to handle the weapon; or if they lie in any portion of the background packet.
“To get a concealed weapon permit we have an extensive background packet,” Turturici said.
The application must also include a letter of intent, explaining the reasons a permit should be granted, Turturici said.
If the applicant resides within the Hollister city limits, Hill first directs the request to the Hollister Police Department, he said. Hill said police departments typically do not issue permits throughout the state.
Most applicants are either self-employed and carry large sums of cash or are ex-law enforcement personnel, Hill said.
The Sheriff’s Department Web site states that the Sheriff “may consider issuing a (concealed weapon permit) to retired local or Federal law enforcement personnel or to U.S. citizens who can articulate a specific, compelling and overwhelming need which can be verified.”
Each applicant is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. San Benito’s policy is not too restrictive, but not too lenient, Hill said.
“Once your background is approved we take you out to the range to make sure you know how to shoot the thing,” Turturici.
Each county in California has its own set of issuance policies and permit counts. Kern County, which includes the City of Bakersfield, has 4,077 permits, the most in the state, according to the California Attorney General’s office. The county with the highest percentage of residents with concealed weapon permits is Sierra County, with 3.2 percent.
Some gun advocate groups say issuing concealed weapon permits to law-abiding citizens makes for safer streets.
But Hill does not believe more permits mean a safer community.
“Probably not. It’s a state-of-mind kind of thing,” Hill said. “But in reality, no.”
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 or [email protected].
