You can carry a gun in San Francisco, but only if you hold a California-issued License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW). Open carry is banned across the city, out-of-state permits are not recognized, and getting a CCW means clearing a background investigation, a psychological evaluation, a 16-hour training course, and an in-person interview with law enforcement.
Open Carry Is Not Allowed
California prohibits openly carrying firearms in public, and San Francisco falls squarely under that ban. It applies to loaded and unloaded handguns and long guns alike. A narrow state exception lets sheriffs in counties under 200,000 people issue open-carry licenses, but San Francisco’s population is well above that threshold, so the exception does not apply here.1California Department of Justice. Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-04 – California’s Firearm Open Carry Laws Currently Remain in Effect
A January 2026 Ninth Circuit panel decision in Baird v. Bonta found California’s open-carry restrictions unconstitutional in densely populated counties, but that ruling has not taken effect. The state Attorney General has asked for rehearing, and the Department of Justice has instructed law enforcement to keep enforcing the existing ban.1California Department of Justice. Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-04 – California’s Firearm Open Carry Laws Currently Remain in Effect Relying on the decision as a defense today is a serious mistake.
The CCW Is the Only Legal Way to Carry
For a private citizen, the only lawful way to carry a handgun for self-defense in public in San Francisco is a CCW. Without one, carrying a concealed firearm is a criminal offense under Penal Code 25400.2California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25400 A valid license exempts you from that prohibition, including while in a vehicle.3California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25655
San Francisco residents can apply through the San Francisco Police Department or the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. Both the police chief and the county sheriff have authority to issue CCW licenses under California law, and each agency runs its own process.4California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26155 California does not recognize CCW licenses from any other state. A visitor carrying on an out-of-state permit faces the same charges as anyone carrying without a license.
Who Can Get a License
You must be at least 21, a San Francisco resident, and able to prove your identity and address. The core requirement is that you are not a “disqualified person” under Penal Code 26202, which the licensing authority checks through a background investigation. The list of disqualifiers is long.5California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26202 You will be denied if you:
- Are found reasonably likely to be a danger to yourself, others, or the community based on your application, the investigation, or the psychological evaluation
- Have a prior felony conviction, or a conviction for a violent or firearms-related misdemeanor in the past ten years, or a history of unlawful use or brandishing of a firearm
- Are subject to an active restraining or protective order, or one that expired less than five years ago
- Had certain criminal charges dismissed by plea bargain within the past ten years
- Were incarcerated or on probation or parole for a qualifying offense in the past five years
The statute lists more, including disqualifiers tied to contempt of court, drug and alcohol offenses, and other categories. If any past incident might affect your eligibility, talk to an attorney before applying.
How to Apply
The SFPD takes applications through an online portal, though paperwork still travels with you. You will need proof of San Francisco residency (utility bills, a lease, or similar), a government-issued photo ID, and contact information for at least three personal references. State law requires those references on the standard application form, and at least one must be a current cohabitant if you have one.6California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26175
After the initial review, a background investigator contacts you to set up an in-person interview. At that appointment you get fingerprinted for state and federal background checks, sign waivers, and receive a referral for the mandatory psychological evaluation with a licensed psychologist.7San Francisco Police Department. Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy Once you clear the background investigation and the evaluation, the SFPD notifies you to complete firearms training before the license is issued. Plan for several months. Incomplete applications and delays scheduling the psych evaluation are the usual bottlenecks.
Training
First-time applicants take a minimum 16-hour course with an SFPD-approved provider. It covers firearm safety and handling, shooting technique, safe storage, legal transport, where license holders may and may not carry, lawful use of force, and self-defense law, plus at least one hour on mental health resources. You must pass a written exam and demonstrate safe handling and shooting proficiency with each firearm you want listed on the license.7San Francisco Police Department. Carrying Concealed Weapon Policy Renewals require an eight-hour refresher.
Fees
The SFPD charges $144 for a standard two-year initial license, which covers the DOJ LiveScan fingerprinting and CCW processing fees. Renewal is $52.8San Francisco Police Department. San Francisco Police Department CA Online Concealed Carry Weapon License Application You pay separately for the training course (provider fees vary) and the psychological evaluation, which state law caps at $150.9California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26190 Budget several hundred dollars all in.
Where You Still Cannot Carry With a License
A CCW does not let you carry everywhere. California designates a long list of “sensitive places” that are off-limits even to licensed carriers. Senate Bill 2 expanded that list, and while parts of the law are in court, most of it is currently enforceable. As of early 2026, CCW holders cannot carry in:10California Department of Justice. Information Bulletin 2025-DLE-06 – Additional Restrictions on CCW License Holders
- K-12 school zones, preschools, childcare facilities, colleges, and universities
- State executive and legislative buildings, local government buildings, courts, and police stations
- Adult and juvenile jails and prisons
- Airports and passenger vessel terminals
- Polling places
- Public parks, athletic facilities, playgrounds, youth centers, and adjacent sidewalks and streets
- Property controlled by the Department of Parks and Recreation or the Department of Fish and Wildlife, except designated hunting areas
- Stadiums, arenas, amusement parks, zoos, museums, casinos, and their parking areas
- Public libraries and their parking areas
- Any establishment serving alcohol for on-site consumption, including its parking area
- Property controlled by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Six more categories are currently blocked by a federal injunction: hospitals and medical facilities, public transit, permitted public gatherings, places of worship, financial institutions, and privately owned commercial property open to the public that has posted “no firearms” signage.10California Department of Justice. Information Bulletin 2025-DLE-06 – Additional Restrictions on CCW License Holders The injunction could be lifted at any time, so those categories could become enforceable again. Carrying in an enforceable sensitive place can cost you the license and bring criminal charges.11California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26230
Firearms in Your Car
Without a CCW, any handgun in your vehicle must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. The container must be fully enclosed and secured with a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar device. The trunk counts as a locked container. The glove compartment and utility compartments do not.12State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General. Transporting Firearms in California
If you hold a valid CCW, the locked-container rule does not apply to the handguns listed on your permit. Your license exempts you from Penal Code 25400, so you can carry those guns loaded and concealed in the car.3California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25655 Any firearm not listed on the license still has to follow the standard locked-container rules.
Renewal
The SFPD currently issues standard CCW licenses to residents for two years.8San Francisco Police Department. San Francisco Police Department CA Online Concealed Carry Weapon License Application The current statewide maximum for a standard license is four years, but that maximum drops to two years across California on January 1, 2031.13California Legislative Information. AB-2033 Firearms – Licenses to Carry Concealed Firearms
The SFPD recommends starting renewal at least 90 days before expiration. You will need the eight-hour refresher course, a new background check, and the $52 fee. Letting the license lapse ends your right to carry, and carrying on an expired license is treated the same as carrying with no license at all.
Penalties for Carrying Without a License
Carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW is generally a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.2California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25400 It becomes a felony if you have a prior felony conviction, the firearm was stolen and you knew it, you are a prohibited person, or you are an active participant in a criminal street gang. A loaded, unregistered firearm can also push the charge to a felony.
Carrying a loaded firearm in public without a license follows the same structure: a misdemeanor with up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine on a first offense, with felony exposure if any of the aggravating factors above apply.14California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25850 A prior misdemeanor for assault or certain weapons offenses triggers a mandatory minimum of three months in county jail even on a new misdemeanor charge.