Obama-appointed federael judge rules California has to accept non-resident CCW applications

President Barack Obama, like any other president, appointed his fair share of judges who fit more into his mold of politics. That’s one of the benefits of being president —  you get to pick who controls the judiciary, to some degree.

However, it must really sting when one of those appointed judges rules the other way, politically, and according to the Daily Caller, that happened this week in a big way regarding a Second Amendment issue in California. 

The outlet reported that an Obama-appointed judge ruled that California should honor the applications of non-residents for concealed carry weapons (CCWs) licenses.

The bombshell order came down from Cathy Ann Bencivengo, a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of California.

What’s going on?

The Obama-appointed judge granted summary judgement in the case after finding California’s “provisions barring nonresidents from applying for CCW licenses violate the Constitution.”

The legal action came as a result of the frustration of law-abiding gun owners who visit the state but aren’t allowed to apply for a CCW, even though they have the constitutional right to do so.

The Daily Caller noted:

The plaintiffs in the case, who are not California residents, complained that they have been prohibited from carrying a firearm for self-defense when they visit the state, according to Bencivengo’s order.

The judge’s order was crystal clear.

“Opening the application process to nonresidents does not limit California’s ability to regulate who receives a CCW license based on other measured parameters,” according to the order. “Nonresidents are simply afforded the same chance guaranteed to residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

🚨FPC WIN 🚨

In our Hoffman v. Bonta Lawsuit challenging California’s non-resident carry ban, the court has declared the State’s ban unconstitutional! pic.twitter.com/0K9DSKgc1A

— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) July 1, 2025

Social media reacts

Users across social media celebrated the court win, but expressed skepticism that California would play ball.

“So now we have to subject ourselves to the same obnoxious and unconstitutionally strict/subjective process as residents to get permission to exercise our rights? I know, one step at a time but Bruen!” one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, “This is a big win. Please don’t accept California permits for out-of-state residents. I’ve tried going down that route. They want three references, they want my employer’s information. Their permitting scheme is a complete violation of privacy. They must accept out-of-state CCWs.”

Only time will tell if California actually follows the judge’s ruling.

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