At least one law enforcement agency in California is changing the way it grants concealed carry permits as a direct result of Peruta v. San Diego.

The Orange County Sheriff’s department is dropped the “good cause” requirement yesterday, and is adopting a policy that sounds a lot more like a voluntary “shall issue” process (my bold below):

The Orange County sheriff loosened requirements Wednesday for obtaining a concealed-weapons permit in light of a recent federal appellate court decision that deemed many urban counties in California to be overly restrictive in saying who can and can’t carry a concealed weapon.

Local applicants seeking a permit to carry a concealed weapon now only have to say that they need one for self-defense or personal safety. Previously, applicants were required to prove “good cause,” a standard that typically limited concealed weapons in Orange County to people who carry large sums of cash or valuables, or who could prove an existing mortal threat.

“Bottom line is the sheriff is going to abide by the law,” said Lt. Jeff Hallock, a spokesman for O.C. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

“Before the court’s decision, good cause was something that was evaluated by the sheriff. What she considers good cause may not be same as Los Angeles, Riverside or San Diego as good cause. But in looking at the decision, some of the subjectiveness is taken out of it.”

It remains to be seen if San Diego will appeal the court’s ruling in Peruta. They have until Feb. 27 to appeal.