Ventura County Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Certification Class

16 Hour Ventura County CCW Initial (Private) Course $945  or  CCW Renewals (8 Hr Private Course) - $480 [Utah CFP & Florida CWL Add-on $150]

This course is the CCW Approved course for the Ventura County Sheriffs Department as dictated by the California DOJ. Applicants will learn the required training in firearm safety and the laws regarding the permissible use of a firearm.  These courses are SB2 Compliant. Penal Code dictates the training of new applicants to 16 hours. Renewals have been mandated to 8 hours. Written Notification to the Ventura County Sheriffs Office will be issued to applicants who demonstrate the knowledge and proficiency required - practical test and the written test. 16 Hour New Applicant Course includes 3 hours of range time. Renewal Course includes 1 hour of range time.

In Classroom Subjects Covered:
- Legalities concerning the use of deadly force (both criminal and civil)
- Interactions with law-enforcement during and after an engagement
- Holster selection, accessories, placement, and off body security
- Mental Health and Psychological First Aid
- Review of Firearms safety as it pertains to self-defense.
- Conversations and tactics with family
- Understanding of Firearms safety when carried on person, whether concealed or open.
- Convenience considerations of concealed carry in everyday environments
- Dry Fire practice and drills

 

On Range Subjects Covered:
- Review of basic marksmanship & the integrated act of firing: stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger press, and follow through.
- Engagement from the ready position, the Draw, and the Concealed Draw
- Reloading: Speed reloading, tactical reloading
- Clearing malfunctions
- After Action Drills

Course pricing ($945 CCW Initial or $480 CCW Renewal) includes qualification of up to 3 handguns. Additional handgun qualification is $25.00 each. Additional Range Day for Live Fire Qualification is $100

Compliment your California CCW by obtaining a Utah Permit as well. Because of state reciprocity, Concealed Firearm Permits from these two states (California & Utah) give you the ability to carry your handgun concealed in 35 states. (You still MUST have a California CCW Permit to carry in California.) The add-on for a Utah Non-Resident Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) & Florida Non Resident Concealed Weapon License (CWL) is $150 and will add an additional training session (3 hours) to the above class. Click this link for more information

 

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Prerequisite: Approval from VCSD. Copy of Approval Letter and valid identification required to take this course.

CCW permit information can be referenced at: https://www.venturasheriff.org/public-resources/concealed-weapons-permit/

The goal of this course is to fulfill all of the initial training requirements of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for completion of the Instruction Phase of CCW. Additionally, we strive to give students the information, basic skills, and mindset needed to safely and effectively carry and use a handgun for self defense all in a non-militant, safe and friendly environment. This class is a Private Class and is taught one-on-one with the instructor at the student's convenience. Availability is 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm. Call or email to schedule your class!!

 

We can also assist and advise students with their selection of a proper retention system/holster for their handgun; and coach them in safe drawing/reholstering and reloading techniques. Ultimately, safety balanced with speed are required in all firearms handling situations, as is proper education in the legal responsibilities of handgun use.

 

 

For additional firearms training or consultation, call or email.

 

To book workshops and classes offered, click here to contact Marc Alabanza.

Exciting News—My New CCW Fundamentals Book is Now on Amazon!!

My new 2025 textbook, Concealed Carry Fundamentals: The Art and Science of Self-Defense and Firearms for California CCW, is now available on Amazon.

This book isn’t just a generic firearms guide—it’s built around the same principles and techniques we covered in your CCW class, but goes even deeper. I packed it with practical insights, real-world scenarios, and expanded discussions on topics like:
✅ Understanding California CCW laws and responsibilities
✅ Firearm safety and defensive shooting fundamentals
✅ Tactical mindset and situational awareness
✅ Real-world considerations for self-defense scenarios

My goal was to create a resource that you can refer back to whenever you need a refresher—or if you ever want to go beyond what we covered in class. It is the same textbook used in the current 2025 CCW Class for Ventura County (SB2 Compliant 16 Hour Initial/8 Hour Renewal). Whether you’re a past student looking to refresh your knowledge or someone serious about refining your CCW skills, this book is a valuable resource to have on hand.