To Our Readers:
We've decided to remove from four Patch websites a part of an article published on Friday that detailed information about owners of concealed weapons in Redwood City, Menlo Park, Half Moon Bay and Pacifica.
The initial decision to publish this article was not an easy one for us. The subsequent decision to remove the names of the San Mateo County residents who possess a concealed weapons permit is also difficult.
However, after much thought and discussion among our editorial team, we decided that we did not have a compelling reason to publish the names even though they are a matter of public record.
Clearly, the article hit some nerves. The discussion about guns and gun ownership in this country is intense. We saw that intensity in the comments.
An essential part of Patch is to have a civil discussion about many issues that affect us. Unfortunately, many of the comments we received regarding this article were less than civil, and bordered on vitriolic. We always welcome good, constructive comments.
Contentious issues within our communities need to be discussed, but that public forum of thoughts and ideas can only be constructive if certain standards are maintained.
Highly negative, inflammatory comments violate our Patch terms of service, and need to be deleted from our article's comment stream as such. Personal attacks, and personal threats, cannot be tolerated for any number of reasons, and will also be removed. That's why we had to remove several threatening comments that came to us after publication of the article.
-Patch Staff
In light of an alleged self-defense killing of 17-year-old unarmed Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, Florida’s concealed weapons laws have been thrust into the spotlight. Most residents can obtain concealed weapons permits, according to state law.
In California, in contrast, residents must contact their local police department or county Sheriff’s Office, as rules differ by region. San Mateo County residents may obtain Concealed Weapons permits (CCP), which allows them to legally to carry a loaded "a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person.”
The state’s FAQ website offers more information, such as eligibility requirements to obtain a permit.
San Mateo County has developed a uniform application form for the various policing jurisdictions within the county. This application must be filled out and submitted, along with the fee for service. The application must include a written explanation regarding the need to carry a concealed weapon.
The application will be reviewed during a personal interview with Support Services' staff at the time of submittal to discuss the need for the license, criminal history and consequences of carrying a concealed weapon.
Following the interview, an appointment for fingerprint submission will be obtained. An additional fee will be collected by the technician to pay for the processing of the print cards by the State of California, as part of the background investigation. This may take six to eight weeks to process.
The applicant must also complete a course training between 16 to 24 hours.
The following people have concealed gun permits in Pacifica:
Name (removed) Occupation permit issue date permit expiration date Retired 9/1/2010 9/1/2012 Vice President 7/9/2010 7/9/2012 Business Owner 2/17/2010 2/17/2012 Retired 2/18/2011 2/18/2013 CFO 11/5/2010 11/5/2010 Fire Captain 9/24/2009 9/24/2011 Investigator 4/7/2011 4/7/2013 Sr. Financial Analyst 1/31/2010 1/31/2012
For more news and information about Pacifica and surrounding areas, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Got Patch? Sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter.
