The Wire · CalGunHub

California DOJ issues amended guidance on CCW licensing under AB 1078

Published October 6, 2026 · Updated October 6, 2026

The California Department of Justice released an updated bulletin detailing new procedures for non-resident concealed carry applications and disqualified person determinations.

Summary by the CalGunHub desk.

Who this affects: This bulletin provides procedural instructions for law enforcement agencies processing concealed carry applications in California. Non-residents seeking a California license will follow the outlined fingerprinting and attestation steps to complete their applications. California residents applying for or renewing a license may experience updated background check procedures, as local agencies implement the revised disqualification criteria and reporting requirements.

The California Department of Justice Division of Law Enforcement issued Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-13 on August 7, 2026. The final bulletin supersedes earlier guidance from March 24, 2026, regarding changes to the concealed carry weapon license application process implemented by Assembly Bill 1078.

The document outlines procedures for non-residents applying for California CCW licenses, which became available on January 1, 2026. It details how out-of-state applicants can submit fingerprints using an FBI Form FD-258 through their local law enforcement agency. The bulletin also introduces an updated supplemental form, BOF 4013, which includes an attestation that the application jurisdiction is the primary location in California where the applicant intends to travel or spend time.

Additionally, the bulletin updates the criteria for determining if an applicant is a disqualified person. This includes reviews of expired restraining orders, specific misdemeanor convictions, and dismissed charges. Licensing authorities are instructed to report applicants denied for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System Index within five days. The document notes, "This bulletin is not legal advice." It also establishes notification timelines for license renewals submitted on or after September 1, 2026.

Reproduced from the official source.

Informational only, not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above.