California County Bucks State Law, Approves Concealed Carry in Local Government Buildings

Damon Thueson shows a holster at a gun concealed carry permit class put on by "USA Firearms Training" in Provo, Utah, on Dec. 19, 2015. George Frey/Getty Images

The public and law enforcement with concealed carry permits will be allowed to carry weapons into county buildings despite a new state law prohibiting it, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors decided Jan. 23.

California recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 2, banning concealed weapons in 26 more places, including parks, sports stadiums, government buildings, hospitals, and churches.

A lawsuit was filed against the state last year and many of those prohibited locations are on hold after a ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

However, the judge did not put a hold on prohibitions on state and local government buildings.

Shasta County’s newly passed resolution authorizes all members of the public, including peace officers and retired peace officers, who possess a valid Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit and have registered permitted firearms to carry on county property, except where county policy, state, or federal law exempt the practice.

County Supervisor Patrick Jones, who brought the measure forward last week, said the new rules would allow people to legally carry weapons on county property if they have a permit.

“It’s unfortunate that [SB 2] has happened,” Mr. Jones said at the Jan. 23 board meeting. “This [new resolution] will be an immediate help right now.”

The resolution also allows Shasta County employees to carry weapons, but current county workplace violence policy specifically prohibits the practice. Mr. Jones said he planned to come back with another resolution to amend the county policy and allow employees who are CCW permit holders to carry weapons at work.

“Obviously, we can’t have two resolutions in contradiction,” Mr. Jones said Jan. 23.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta pushed the bill through the Legislature after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which ruled New York’s concealed carry law unconstitutional.

California’s concealed carry law was amended after the decision, removing requirements in permit applications that demanded the applicant give a reason for seeking to conceal a weapon.

In response to the state law, Shasta County Sheriff Mike Johnson posted on Facebook Jan. 10, telling the public he and his deputies would not spend department time or efforts to address the “needless and unconstitutional legislation.”

“Gov. Newsom and Attorney General Bonta clearly are pushing a personal agenda,” Mr. Johnson said. “And that personal agenda has been coming in various ways as an attack on gun rights. This one has really stepped over the line and is unconstitutional, in my opinion.”

Mr. Johnson’s decision followed a similar action taken by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said Jan. 8 that he would not devote resources to tracking down concealed carry permit holders who violate the new restrictions.

County Board of Supervisors Chair Kevin Crye said at last week’s meeting that supporting the new resolution was easy.

“This is a very easy vote, with the Constitution in one hand and our sheriff backing it in the other,” Mr. Crye said. “The homework was done for me in that capacity.”

Several residents spoke against the resolution, especially concerning allowing employees to carry weapons.

One resident named Jenny said the rules could cause a countywide strike.

“How long until a volatile employee snaps?” Jenny asked the supervisors last week. “Would you like to risk a countywide strike of all bargaining units?”

Resident John Knight said the county resolution would help maintain safe environments.

“This has nothing to do with putting people in danger,” Mr. Knight said. “The more people that carry, the safer we are as a people.”

Attorney General Bonta’s office did not return a request for comment about Shasta County’s resolution.