OC Sheriff Rolls Back Easing Of Rules For Concealed Carry Permits
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com/AP) — Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has tightened requirements for obtaining a concealed-weapons permit following an appeals court decision to take up the gun rules again.
KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports it wasn't immediately clear how the decision announced Wednesday will affect about 7,000 concealed weapons permit applications currently being processed.
For the last year, after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said rules on concealed weapons in Orange County were too tough, Hutchens offered a more relaxed policy that allowed people to get a permit without a specific reason.
But on March 26, the court made a second decision -- this time that the full 14-judge panel will hear the gun issue once more. The newspaper says that essentially erased the earlier ruling.
Gun safety instructor Greg Block is among those residents upset with the rule change.
"When you need law enforcement, sir, you need them now. Four to seven minutes is way too long," said Block. "That's why I made the statement most people carry a gun because they can't carry a cop."
The full appellate court will hear the case June 15.
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