Policy Text
Policy
218Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentLicense to Carry a Firearm - 1License to Carry a Firearm
218.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Police Chief is given the statutory discretion to issue a license to carry a firearm to residents
within the community (Penal Code § 26150; Penal Code § 26155). This policy will provide a written
process for the application and issuance of such licenses. Pursuant to Penal Code § 26160, this
policy shall be made accessible to the public.
218.1.1 APPLICATION OF POLICY
Nothing in this policy shall preclude the Chief or other head of a municipal police department
from entering into an agreement with the Sheriff of the county or preclude the Sheriff of the
county from entering into an agreement with the Chief of any municipal police department to
process all applications and license renewals for the carrying of concealed weapons (Penal Code
§ 26150; Penal Code § 26155).
218.2 POLICY
The Mountain View Police Department will fairly and impartially consider all applications to carry
firearms in accordance with applicable law and this policy.
218.3 QUALIFIED APPLICANTS
In order to qualify for a license to carry a firearm, the applicant must meet certain requirements,
including:
(a)Be a resident of the City of Mountain View (Penal Code § 26150; Penal Code § 26155).
(b)Be at least 21 years of age (Penal Code § 29610).
(c)Fully complete an application that will include substantial personal information. Much
of the information in the application may be subject to public access under the Public
Records Act.
(d)Be free from criminal convictions that would disqualify the applicant from carrying a
firearm. Fingerprints will be required and a complete criminal background check will
be conducted.
(e)Be of good moral character (Penal Code § 26150; Penal Code § 26155). An applicant
who lacks the ability to exercise sound judgment in the use of a firearm in a manner
consistent with the law, lacks good moral character. For purposes of this policy, the
following factors may indicate a lack of good moral character needed to qualify for a
license to carry a firearm.
1.In the last five years, active restraining orders, protective orders, or other court
orders issued pursuant to the following statutory provisions:
Welfare and Institutions Code § 213.5, 304, 362.4, 726.5, or 15657.03;
Code of Civil Procedure § 527.6, 527.8, or 527.85, or
Penal Code §§ 136.2 and 18100,
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
License to Carry a Firearm
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentLicense to Carry a Firearm - 2
Part 4 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 10 of the Family Code,
Penal Code § 646.91 or Part 3 (commencing with Section 6240) of Division
10 of the Family Code,
2.In the last ten (10) years, a conviction for an offense listed in Penal Code §
422.6, 422.7, 422.75, or 29805;
3.In the last five (5) years, a final denial of the applicant's petition to have a firearm
returned pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 8102 or Penal Code §§
18410 and 18420.
4.In the last five (5) years, any final court determination finding that the applicant
presents a danger to themselves or others in connection with a firearm or other
deadly weapon.
5.Any unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm;
6.Outward indications or history of psychological problems that might render the
applicant unfit to carry a firearm, as indicated by an authorized psychologist in
Phase Two of this application process;
7.In the last ten (10) years, a criminal charge for any offense listed in Penal Code §
290, 667.5, 1192.7, 1192.8, or 29805 dismissed pursuant to a plea or dismissed
with a waiver pursuant to (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754;
8.In the last five (5) years, being committed to or incarcerated in county jail or
state prison for, or on probation, parole, post-release community supervision, or
mandatory supervision as a result of, a conviction of an offense, an element of
which involves controlled substances, as described in Health and Safety Code
§§ 11053 to 11058, inclusive, or alcohol;
9.Current abuse of controlled substances, as described in Health and Safety Code
§§ 11053 to 11058, inclusive, or alcohol, which may be evidenced by incidents
of controlled substance or alcohol use occurring with a frequency, severity, and/
or recency that suggests that the applicant lacks the ability to exercise sound
judgment at all times when carrying a firearm;
10.In the last ten (10) years, experience of loss or theft of multiple firearms due
to the applicant's lack of compliance with federal, state, or local law regarding
storing, transporting, or securing the firearm; or
11.Failure to report a loss of a firearm as required by Penal Code § 25250 or any
other state, federal, or local law requiring the reporting of the loss of a firearm.
(f)Pay