Sacramento County Sheriff's Department has responded to criticism of its concealed carry weapons permit system by putting it online.
The sheriff's department says the old system contributed to deputy overtime and cost overruns. It required a deputy to meet with an applicant and use a typewriter to fill out a paper form in triplicate.
After Jan. 1, the application and fees will all be submitted online.
Sheriff Scott Jones says the new process will decrease the time it takes for online applications and renewals to go to the Department of Justice for review Live Scan fingerprinting and background checks.
"The standards for issuance and the process at its core remains the same. It's not easier to get one than it was before. It's just a more-efficient process both externally and internally now," says Jones.
An applicant for a new permit will still be required to meet with a department detective once.
The sheriff has also increased the number of allowable permits from three to five per person.
The application costs $20. Live Scan fingerprinting costs $120. Issuance of the permit costs $80.
Costs are set by statute.
There are 8,493 permits in the county. Since 2011, 263 permits have been revoked.
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