I need more CA-specific CCW info

[LowAndLeft]

Ok, I took the classroom portion and still have to range qualify as I didn't have all my firearms yet. I must say that my class sucked. Yep, I saved a few dollars to buy ammo with but we didn't have their regular instructor so I think we just glossed over things. We watched videos we'd all seen on youtube with zero discussion. It was like a bad traffic school class.

This all said, are there online resources I can learn more about use of force scenarios, CA-specific self-defense law in-home/on one's property (I'm unclear if CA has castle doctrine, retreat law, pursuing bad guys, shooting bad guy outside house but on your property, etc.) I suppose I could ask to attend again for free with their regular instructor--hopefully he is better. Thank you.

[Wise_A]

State-mandated classes are, charitably, an introduction to topics you should educate yourself about later on. Your instructor might not have been that bad, relatively-speaking.

This is as charitable as I am able to be.

[Flamingo]

My buddy taught CCW classes in San Bernadino County before he moved toTexas a couple of years ago. I can ask him if he is willing to share his slide deck.

[HCM]

Ok, I took the classroom portion and still have to range qualify as I didn't have all my firearms yet. I must say that my class sucked. Yep, I saved a few dollars to buy ammo with but we didn't have their regular instructor so I think we just glossed over things. We watched videos we'd all seen on youtube with zero discussion. It was like a bad traffic school class.

This all said, are there online resources I can learn more about use of force scenarios, CA-specific self-defense law in-home/on one's property (I'm unclear if CA has castle doctrine, retreat law, pursuing bad guys, shooting bad guy outside house but on your property, etc.) I suppose I could ask to attend again for free with their regular instructor--hopefully he is better. Thank you.

CCW license classes whether in CA or not, are not how to shoot or tactics classes but the should address things like when / where / how to shoot or not shoot.

I would strongly suggest you take it again with the regular instructor.

[LukeNCMX]

A good source of information is the Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions commonly known as Calcrim. these are the jury instructions read by the judge to the jury during criminal trials. The sections on self defense are very useful.

[0ddl0t]

Training requirements vary a bit county by county, but having taken CCW classes in 3 different counties I've come to the conclusion they are all worthless and they exist solely to add friction/cost to discourage people from getting a permit.

CA gun law is essentially:
When can you draw your firearm? Only when you reasonably fear imminent great bodily injury or death.
When can you shoot? Only when you fear imminent great bodily injury or death.

California does not require you to retreat if someone breaks into your home, but again, you can only shoot them if you reasonably fear great bodily injury or death. Your yard, garage, porch, etc are not covered under the castle doctrine, only the living quarters of your property.


If you live in a red/rural county you're unlikely to be prosecuted for brandishing/shooting a criminal even if you don't do everything by the book. In certain blue/urban counties you might do everything by the book and still get prosecuted. In purple counties, you roll the dice.


Examples where it didn't work out so hot:

36 year-old convenience store clerk killed during shootout with robbers. Because he chased the robbers outside of the store, his killer was not charged with murder:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/californi...t-self-defense

57 year-old homeowner arrested in San Diego after shooting his neighbor's burglars as they drove toward & past him:
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/alta-v...#axzz2UkYg3UI2

90 year-old Marin homeowner sued after shooting burglar/kidnapper:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/burglar...returned-fire/

80 year-old Long Beach homeowner was beaten during a burglary before retrieving a gun and shooting intruders as they fled, killing one (a woman who said "don't shoot, I'm pregnant"). Authorities weighed charging the homeowner, but after 7 months ultimately declined to prosecute after learning the burglar was not actually pregnant.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cops-ca...home-intruder/


Examples where no charges/lawsuits filed:

79 year-old homeowner shoots man stealing dune buggy and goat outside his home. He was not charged in San Diego County, but would likely be arrested for this in LA or SF:
https://news.yahoo.com/california-ma...131928923.html

93 year-old homeowner shoots one of multiple intruders into his home. No charges in Riverside County:
https://fox40.com/news/california-co...-sheriff-says/


60's homeowner shoots armed parolee who broke into his home in Faifield:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/californi...or-down-police

30 year-old homeowner shoots at burglar in Sacramento County. No charges:
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/l.../103-348523390

Orange County homeowner cleared in fatal shooting of intruder:
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/new...al-wrongdoing/


Yolo County homeowner kills one of two burglars. No charges:
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/n...ers-killing-1/

Hesperia homeowner shoots at neighbor trying to force entry. No charges
https://abc7.com/hesperia-gunfight-h...ights/9796700/

Patterson woman shoots drunk man fighting husband to enter home. No charges:
https://eastcountytoday.net/patterso...der-overnight/

[Erick Gelhaus]

Ok, I took the classroom portion and still have to range qualify as I didn't have all my firearms yet. I must say that my class sucked. Yep, I saved a few dollars to buy ammo with but we didn't have their regular instructor so I think we just glossed over things. We watched videos we'd all seen on youtube with zero discussion. It was like a bad traffic school class.

This all said, are there online resources I can learn more about use of force scenarios, CA-specific self-defense law in-home/on one's property (I'm unclear if CA has castle doctrine, retreat law, pursuing bad guys, shooting bad guy outside house but on your property, etc.) I suppose I could ask to attend again for free with their regular instructor--hopefully he is better. Thank you.

Where are you in CA? Some of us might be able to point you to good, better sources.

The state has pretty good self-defense laws; @paherne is pretty articulate with them.

We do have a Castle doctrine, but as mentioned, don't chase people who are already fleeing.

[paherne]

So, I am not an attorney and it would be wrong for me to give legal advice, but there is an excellent CA defense attorney website that I would sometimes use for trainees. It breaks down the elements of crimes and provides citations to relevant cases, plus scenarios. I never went up against this firm; I worked in N.CA and they practiced in So Cal and don't take this as a recommendation of their services. I'm just talking about the website. shouselaw.com is what you want, type in CA self defense laws in google and it's the first link.

As to further education, Andrew Branca is an attorney that has multiple social media and online resources, some are free. He wrote a book, the laws of self defense. I haven't read his book or purchased his products, but I have viewed some of his content and he seems quite knowledgeable and informative. Other folks I know have found Massad Ayoob's books on lethal force worthwhile.

If you're really keen for hands on instruction beyond basic CCW classes, I'm fairly confident I can make a training provider recommendation based on where you are in CA.

[LowAndLeft]

Where are you in CA? Some of us might be able to point you to good, better sources.

The state has pretty good self-defense laws; @paherne is pretty articulate with them.

We do have a Castle doctrine, but as mentioned, don't chase people who are already fleeing.

I'm in OC.

[luckyman]

I'm in OC.

Scotty Reitz and family run international tactical, out by San Fernando, which would still be my first choice even though the last class I took seemed a little off their previous very high standards. They handle the safety side of things better than anyone else I have taken a class from. In OC, Shoot Safe Learning gives a fun, low pressure good intro to shooting. Probably not where I would go for instruction as a more experienced person. Artemis Defense Institute is a great simulation- focused option in Lake Forest. They don’t have a shooting range there in Lake Forest, and I’ve only done simulation stuff with them, but I got a lot out of that. I’m sure they offer live fire training also. I’m sure there are other good options, that’s just what I have personal experience with that I liked. I have experience with a couple others that wasn’t so great.

None of the above was specifically with ccw classes. Artemis Defence had the most comprehensive use of force training.