PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is inviting residents to a free Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Community Event on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
The Sheriff’s Office promoted the gathering as a family-friendly event intended to connect with the community while providing information about California’s concealed carry permit process. According to the agency’s public announcement, attendees can expect educational opportunities along with community activities throughout the day.
“Join us on Saturday, August 8th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds for a free, family-friendly CCW Community Event! We can’t wait to see you there!”
The event comes as concealed carry permits continue to generate discussion across California following changes in state law and ongoing legal challenges surrounding firearm regulations. In El Dorado County, where hunting, recreational shooting and firearm ownership remain part of the area’s rural culture, CCW policy often draws significant public interest.
Not everyone viewed the event as enough.
The civic watchdog group El Dorado County Government Watch criticized the Sheriff’s outreach on social media, arguing that community events should be accompanied by stronger institutional efforts to defend Second Amendment rights.
“Free snow cones and gun raffles are not a Second Amendment policy. If the County and Sheriff truly valued the right to bear arms, they would challenge Sacramento’s restrictions in court and open their taxpayer-funded, state-of-the-art shooting range to the public for free firearm training and CCW qualification. Rights need defenders—not marketing events.”
The statement reflects a viewpoint held by some gun rights advocates who believe local governments should play a more active role in challenging California firearm laws through litigation or expanded public training opportunities.
Others praised the Sheriff’s Office for engaging directly with residents.
Scott Lumsden, a former California resident who identified Placerville as his hometown, shared his support for the event while reflecting on his own experience obtaining a concealed carry permit after a personal encounter that changed his views on self-defense.
“I never worried about my own self defense while growing up and even during the early years of raising my family,” Lumsden wrote. “That is until I had a flat tire in Stockton, at night.”
Lumsden said he later received a CCW permit from his local sheriff and carried legally until leaving California after retirement. He encouraged residents to attend the event and expressed hope that continued community engagement could advance broader discussions about firearm rights.
He also recalled training at the El Dorado Rod and Gun Club, noting that the facility previously hosted defensive shooting competitions and practical firearms training.
California’s concealed carry permitting process has changed significantly in recent years following court decisions, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which reshaped how states regulate public firearm carry. Since then, California lawmakers have enacted additional regulations governing permit holders, training requirements and sensitive locations where firearms may be prohibited.
The Sheriff’s Office has not publicly indicated that the event is intended as a policy forum or legislative advocacy effort. Instead, the announcement focuses on community engagement, firearm education and providing information for current and prospective CCW permit holders.
With public opinion divided over how local governments should respond to evolving firearm laws, Saturday’s event is likely to serve not only as an educational opportunity but also as another chapter in the ongoing conversation about public safety, constitutional rights and the responsibilities of local law enforcement in El Dorado County.
