What’s at stake?
The price to apply for a permit to conceal carry a gun in Fresno County is increasing soon. They will help cover increased costs associated with the Sheriff’s Office budget.
The board also provided a quick update on the creation of a new rooster law.
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In an effort to cover escalating costs in this year’s budget, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a request from the Sheriff’s Office to increase fees for concealed-carry gun permits — a move that hasn’t happened in nearly 20 years.
The last time costs increased was in 2007. Since then, “the volume and complexity of permit processing has increased due to background checks, administrative requirements, and staffing needs,” county documents read. “The approved rates are intended to align fees with the actual cost of providing these services.”
In September, the board unanimously approved a $5.3 billion budget. It included a $40 million increase from last year for the Sheriffs’ Office, mostly to cover overtime and extra help pay.
A summary of the increased cost gun permit costs as well as a look at how they’ve changed over time. Source: Fresno County
The new county fee for a CCW, or concealed carry application will climb to $190. It will be $75 to renew, an increase of 65% and 200% respectively.
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Gun owners will also need to pay state fees, which are currently $37.19.
Thursday’s meeting was the second hearing on the matter, which was first heard last month.
The new fees are expected to take effect in late November.
The Fresno County Gun Owners Association did not immediately respond to request for comment on this story.
New rooster law still in the works
Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who represents much of the Sierra region, said at Tuesday’s meeting that a newly formed committee to help address complaints over neighborhood roosters could start meeting as early as next month.
“We plan on moving quickly with three meetings, and we will make a determination when we can bring something back to all of you,” Magsig told the board Tuesday.
Initial plans for a rooster crackdown were introduced at a board meeting last month, where a limit of five roosters for every household was floated — with limited exceptions for local farming and youth agriculture groups. However, Hmong community members, feeder suppliers and rooster-owning hobbyists fiercely opposed the proposed new restrictions.
CEO of the Fresno Center Pao Yang said that the ordinance is made with good intentions — to stop cock fighting and reduce the level of noise that the animal can bring — but that a better solution could be reached to help the Hmong community continue their traditions.
“The rooster is a sacred animal that is embedded in our belief system and religious practices,” Yang said.
Other criticisms of the ordinance came from hobbyists that said the new restrictions could uproot a passion for the rooster.
“I am the mom of a poultry-breeding youth, and his soul animal just might be a rooster,” said Leslie Cobb, one of about 11 public commenters who spoke at a meeting earlier this month to oppose the ordinance.
Supporters and opponents of the new law conceded that each side had reasonable grievances, leading to the board to delay a passing restriction until a new community committee could be formed. The committee is tasked with helping to create a new law that both addresses concerns over public nuisances and safety, but also punishes offenders instead of responsible rooster keepers.
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