Q: What class do I need to purchase a firearm?

You don't need to take a class but unless exempted, you must have a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC). You must present your FSC to the firearms dealer at the time you begin a transaction to purchase or acquire a firearm. To obtain an FSC you must score at least 75% (23 correct answers out of 30 questions) on the FSC Test covering firearm safety and basic firearms laws. The true/false and multiple choice test can be taken at most gun stores. The fee for taking the FSC test is twenty-five dollars ($25). The $25 fee entitles you to take the test twice if necessary. The FSC Study Guide is available to view or download and they also have a video tutorial . You can see more frequently asked questions regarding the FSC at https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fscfaqs . When purchasing a firearm you also need to show proof of California residency. This CA DOJ FAQ lists some examples of what is and isn't acceptable proof of residency.

Q: How can I get a permit to carry a concealed firearm?

A Concealed Carry Weapons permit (CCW) is issued in California by your local law enforcement agency. Check their CCW page to start the application process. Passing a shooting qualification course of fire is required and varies by agency. If you can not consistently place all your hits into a letter sized piece of paper at 7 yards you may want to consider private coaching .