Riverside County CCW Initial Course

As of 1 Jan 2024, this course exceeds the 16-hour Required CCW Course as demanded by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, serviced cities in Los Angeles County (visit www.MyCCW.us for more information) and the State of California to obtain a Concealed Carry Weapon Permit (CCW).  It consists of 2 concurrent eight-hour days which include classroom instruction and a hands-on practical qualification.  To qualify, applicants must arrive with the skills and abilities necessary to draw from a concealed location, engage a target from three different distances, and receive a passing score of 80% or better. Your manipulation of the firearm will also be evaluated for safe practices.

Course Curriculum

Day 1: Basic CCW Laws / Self-defense liability insurance information / Anatomy of Fear / Equipment Selection / Aftermath of a defensive shooting / Riverside CCW Sheriff's Application Discussion Day 2: Stop the Bleed Course / Mental Health discussion / Suicide discussion / Written Exam / Firearm Qualification

Who Should Take this Course

This course is designed for experienced shooters wishing to obtain a California CCW permit from the Riverside County Sheriff. THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER COURSE. Applicants must arrive with the skills and abilities necessary to draw from a concealed location, engage a target at three different distances, and receive a passing score of 80% or greater. We employ common sense and hope you would understand that a novice or beginner shooter, would not have the basic skills and abilities necessary to attend or complete this class.

Course Requirements

• Resident of any city in Riverside County and serviced cities in Los Angeles County (visit www.myccw.us to confirm)
• Please visit the FAQ page and/or www.MyCCW.us, for qualification standards.
• Prerequisite CCW Dynamic/Prep Course (listed in our courses) or demonstrated ability. The applicant must arrive with the skills and abilities necessary to successfully and safely, draw a firearm from a concealed location, shoot a target from 3 different distances (15yd, 10yd, and 7yd), and get a passing score of 80%. If the applicant can accomplish this, there is no prerequisite course required.
• THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER COURSE.

What You Should Know

1. We shoot in all types of weather. Rain, wind, and heat. Shootings can occur in any temperature. Practice like your life depends on it. Of course, if the rain or wind is too extreme, we'll cancel. We will not cancel due to heat.
2. You must bring in, all firearms that you want on your CCW (limit 6, no smaller than .380, no larger than .45 caliber) UNLOADED to the class. Leave all ammo in your vehicle and have your ID ready upon arrival.
3. You MUST have a Kydex (molded plastic) IWB (Inside-the-Waistband) holster that will be inspected for safety and comply with department guidelines. The holsters you bring should be the holsters you'll use when carrying concealed. We stock Kydex holsters for the most common firearms.
4. No outside the waistband, thigh-rigs, or off-body holsters.  Holsters should have retention or OTHER ACCEPTABLE METHODS of retaining the weapon in the holster. Kydex holsters have, and are able to adjust retention. NO LEATHER, NYLON, FABRIC, BELLY BAND, OR COLLABSIBLE HOLSTERS.
5. You will be required to fire your firearm on a Sheriff’s designated range, and qualify with a passing score of 80% or better. We use Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises for our qualifications.
6. Bring AT LEAST 100 ROUNDS FOR EACH FIREARM you intend to qualify with.  If you do not have the required ammo, the range has it available for sale.
7. You will be required to use the firearm's standard iron sights or holographic sights (RMR Optic) during qualifications; using lasers for the qualification process will be prohibited.
8. An 80% passing score requires satisfactory completion of the following  3 tasks:
   1. Starting from the 15-yard line from a "holstered" position, you will empty a magazine with 6 rounds (or cylinder) at your target. WHEN DIRECTED, you will reload and move forward to the 10 yard line. 
   2. At the 10-yard line and starting from the "holstered" position, you will empty a magazine with 6 rounds (or cylinder) at your target. WHEN DIRECTED, you will reload and move forward to the 7 yard line. 
   3. At the 7-yard line and starting from the "holstered" position, you will empty a magazine with 6 rounds (or cylinder) at your target, firing four shots to the body and two to the head until all ammunition is expended, after which you will clear and show a safe gun.
9. FAILURE to bring all required equipment (firearms, ammo, belt, holsters & range gear), or failure to pass the firearms inspection, qualify with a passing score of 80% or better, or any unsafe range violations, will result in the non-issuance of the CCW course completion certificate.
10. Wear appropriate clothing. No open-toed shoes. No slip on shoes, Crocs, or combat flip-flops. It is recommended that you wear pants that have front and rear pockets, no sweat pants or pants that do not have belt loops for a sturdy belt.
11. YOU MUST visit https://raahauges.pcsparty.com/sign/ and complete the online waiver if you haven't done so in the last year.  Use the information as it appears on your driver's license. This course is all inclusive (includes classroom, range fee, target, qualification, and Certificate of Completion)  DOES NOT INCLUDE AMMUNITION.