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After learning of the breach, Sheriffs across the State immediately began a dialogue with DOJ. DOJ advised it had pulled the dashboard and all related links down. DOJ officials informed us they are working with urgency to determine the scope and breadth of the information released. DOJ has issued a statement regarding the unacceptable release of this information. DOJ stated it will provide free credit monitoring services for individuals whose data was exposed because of this incident.

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You can find DOJ’s statement and a complete list of databases that were released at the following website:

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You can also find a statement released by California State Sheriff’s Association at the following website:

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We are extremely disappointed with DOJ and troubled over this incident. This was an epic failure on the part of DOJ and more than a breach of information; it was a total breach of public trust. We are required by law to provide DOJ the personal information it allowed to be released, and the DOJ is required to keep that information safe. We are appalled that the lack of diligence to safeguard this personal information occurred and the violation of trust that inevitably follows.

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We will do everything in our power to hold DOJ accountable for this egregious, irresponsible release of personal information. We value your right to keep and bear arms and your rights as citizens to privacy. Rest assured, we will do everything possible to protect those rights.

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Please be vigilant in monitoring personal account information and report any suspicious activity you encounter to us.

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If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the CCW unit of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 621-5996.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL CONFIRMS CCW PERSONAL DATA LEAK

The California Department of Justice on Wednesday confirmed that personal information belonging to concealed and carry weapons (CCW) permit applicants was exposed to the public when the agency updated its Firearms Dashboard Portal on June 27.

The department said the data belonged to those who were approved or denied for a CCW permit between 2011 and 2021. The information included names, date of birth, gender, race, driver’s license number, addresses and criminal history.

According to the agency, the data was publicly available for less than 24 hours.

Other affected dashboards include the Assault Weapon Registry, Handguns Certified for Sale, Dealer Record of Sale, Firearm Certificate Safety, and Gun Violence Restraining Order dashboards, according to the attorney general’s office. The Department of Justice is determining the extent of personally identifiable information that have been exposed.

“This unauthorized release of personal information is unacceptable and falls far short of my expectations for this department,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “I immediately launched an investigation into how this occurred at the California Department of Justice and will take strong corrective measures where necessary.”

Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, who is running for governor, condemned the leak of personal information, saying that women who apply for CCW permits often do so because they fear for their lives.

“Consequently, those women will now have to worry that the person they least wanted to see again may have just been given their address by this careless act of bureaucratic idiocy,” Dahle said in a statement.