Help with CCL Information

Glock 19

Go to the LA state police website and follow the links to the CCL section. They have all the info you will ever need.

Dawg23 is a poster here and an instructor and has all the info you need as well.

Take the required class and submit application for permit to state police.

As far a gun, everyone is different (body sizes, hand sizes....) Go to a local range and shoot different guns until you find one that YOU like and are efficient with. I love my Springfield XD and im waiting on a M&P Shield. General CC types are sprngfield XDS or SC/compact, M&P compact, Ruger, Kharr are all good guns IMO

Jack,
Welcome to the world of concealed carry! As already mentioned, there's an almost limitless number of options available for concealed carry. Everyone has their own opinion. I'll give you my personal thoughts, but it'll be YOUR responsibility to find out what works for YOU.

To begin w/, don't guy a Judge for cc. If you can give a few more details on what you're looking for, more specific recommendations can be made. Nevertheless, I'll share some of my general recs.

Safety levers are fine, but I think it takes more training to handle such a gun well in a self-defense type situation. Consequently, I personally prefer my cc guns to not have an external safety lever. Guns w/ double stack mags (most Glocks, Springfield XD's, most Rugers and most S&W M&P's) are thicker than a single stack mag gun. Maybe a double stack mag gun will work well for you w/ concealed carry, but it didn't for me. My first cc gun was a full size SA XD 40 S&W. I didn't carry it long before I realized it wasn't going to work for me.

Best self defense rounds are 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. Unless you've trained a lot, I'd usually recommend a 9mm. Although I also cc a 380 ACP, I do so only when I can't carry a more powerful/bigger gun.

The Subcompact 9mm handguns are a very nice for concealed carry. In addition to being small and light, they are also very narrow as they have a single stack mag. I prefer single stack mag guns as they're much more comfortable to me when I carry inside the waistband (IWB). Guns from this category would include: Kahr CM9/CW9/P9, Ruger LC9, Walther PPS, Beretta Nano, Bersa 9cc, Kimber Solo and S&W Shield. I've got a Kel-Tec PF9 and have been very pleased w/ it, but some folks have had quality control problems w/ it; likewise for the Taurus Slim and Diamondback 9mm.

There are a few single stack 40's. Kahr and the Shield come to mind.

If you feel comfortable w/ the 45 ACP, there are also some nice single stack 45's: Kahr CW45/P45/CM45, SA XD-s 45 (like the Shield, this is a new gun) and Glock 36. Also, one can't leave off the 1911's, but the 1911 platform may require additional training to be competent w/ it.

A revolver (preferably DOA w/ shrouded hammer or at least a bobbed hammer spur) in 38 Spec is always a nice choice, especially for a newer shooter.

How are you going to carry your gun: IWB, pocket, outside the waistband, etc? That might make a difference in what gun best suits you.

Whatever gun you get, be sure you also buy a HIGH quality gun holster and gun holster belt.

Edited to change PPQ to PPS, as mentioned by KBeezy.