The path to receive or renew a concealed weapons permit in Fresno County can be a timely process.
But now there's a way to avoid the classroom and do it online.
The road to getting a concealed weapons permit takes time. Eight hours in the classroom if you're a first-time applicant. Four hours of classroom time to renew your CCW.
The Firing Line in Clovis wanted to make the classes more convenient so it pitched an online program to Sheriff Margaret Mims.
"She liked the idea. She thought it was cool but she said I need to see it. So we put together a presentation for her, showed it to her and she said yeah I love it. Go ahead," said Jake Belemjian with Firing Line in Clovis.
Belemjian teaches the class. What makes it convenient he says is you can sign on morning, noon or night 365 days a year.
"There's lessons that have either video or readings or both. At the end of each session, there will be multiple lessons with each session. There will be a quiz to make sure you paid attention and learned what you needed to learn."
To his knowledge, The Firing Line is the only local business offering the CCW course online. He adds it meets all state requirements.
"We found we were able to put more information in the online course than we were able to deliver in the in-person course because we don't have those interruptions."
Belemjian says the online project is a hit because people can sign on when it fits with their schedule. Once the classroom work is completed applicants or people renewing their CCW permits still have to perform live-fire tests.
The price for the initial CCW course is $130. The renewal-only course is $95.
According to 2021 statistics, there are 14,000 active CCW permits in Fresno County.