A newly introduced California bill, California Assembly Bill 1948, is gaining attention for what appears to be a major change to concealed carry permits. Introduced by Assemblymembers James Ramos and Avelino Valencia, the bill suggests extending CCW license durations from two years to three years for new permits and up to six years for renewals.
On the surface, that sounds like a big win for permit holders. Longer expiration periods would reduce renewal costs, training requirements, and processing delays—especially in counties where approvals already take months.
However, the actual bill language raises concerns. Instead of mandating three- and six-year terms, AB 1948 states that licenses “shall not exceed” those time limits. That wording gives counties discretion to set permit durations at any length of time under those maximums—including potentially shorter terms than currently allowed.
In practice, this means conservative counties might extend permit durations, while more restrictive counties could leave them unchanged—or even shorten them.
The key takeaway: AB 1948 does not automatically extend CCW permits statewide. It shifts authority to local agencies, creating flexibility rather than a guaranteed benefit.
As the bill moves forward, gun owners should watch closely for amendments that clarify whether this measure truly expands carry rights—or simply reshapes local control over permit timelines.
