Riverside CCW Online Courses
For Initial and Renewals
Riverside County Resident and
Out-of-State Applicants
More Than A CCW Course....
John Galletta’s Concealed Carry of Weapons Courses are more than just a CCW Class. He delivers the critical information you need for your certification, all while discussing the life-saving skills, mindset and techniques that will help you protect yourself and loved ones. John’s courses arm you with knowledge so you can carry with confidence, not just in California but anywhere you travel as a responsibly armed citizen.
CONCEALED CARRY EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
This course was developed in compliance with the California Department of Justice and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Concealed Carry of Weapons Unit to ensure full alignment with their approved curriculum standards and online application submission process.
From content formatting to application documentation, this course is structured to match California and Riverside County’s requirements for Non-Resident CCW applicants, making your certification and application process as smooth and efficient as possible from anywhere in the United States.
This course is the result of a joint effort by leading firearms instructors, legal experts, and instructional designers—powered by Safehouse Defense, the same team that built Arizona’s first online and blended learning CCW certification courses at AZCCWOnline.com. The partnership between Safehouse Defense and Riverside CCW Training brought together unmatched expertise in online training, legal compliance, and practical firearms instruction. Together, they’ve created a student-focused learning experience that blends flexibility, real-world relevance, and state-level certification in one complete program.
Students also benefit from the exceptional 7-days-a-week customer support team. Whether you have questions about the course, scheduling your live-fire qualification, or submitting your application to the Riverside County Sheriff, our support staff is standing by to guide you every step of the way—by phone at 1-623-850-4134 or email at support@RiversideCCWOnline.com
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
JOHN GALLETTA
At the heart of this course is John Galletta, a California DOJ Certified Instructor, NRA Firearms Instructor, and veteran defensive shooting trainer who brings more than 40 years of experience to the classroom.
John began teaching firearms safety in the early 1980s while serving in the United States Air Force, instructing fellow service members, friends, and family. Following his discharge in 1988, John continued his passion for training and became a full-time NRA Instructor, eventually founding Riverside CCW Training, which now provides certified instruction for CCW applicants in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Arizona, Utah, and select cities across Los Angeles County.
A few highlights of John’s distinguished background include:
- Graduating the Riverside County Sheriff’s Academy in 2008 as the Highest Scoring Marksman in the history of the Palm Desert campus.
- Serving as an Instructor for the Federal Air Marshal Service's Los Angeles Field Office, including his role as a Preventive Radiological Nuclear Detection Instructor and member of the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Team.
- Instructing for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Counter Terrorism Operations Support Program.
- Becoming an Approved Concealed Carry of Weapons Instructor for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 2018
- John has personally trained thousands of students, and his work continues to empower women, new shooters, and first-time gun owners. He is also a proud supporter of the California Rifle and Pistol Association and the Second Amendment Foundation, consistently advocating for Second Amendment rights and responsible gun ownership.
- In 2023, John survived a violent armed robbery that required him to act decisively to defend his life and the lives of others. His deeply personal experience is shared throughout the course and brings real-world context to topics such as situational awareness, decision-making under duress, and the emotional and legal aftermath of using deadly force. His unique insights into “The Anatomy of Fear”—combined with teachings inspired by experts like Gavin de Becker and Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman—offer students a truly impactful and thought-provoking learning experience.
About the Course
This online course and a live-fire qualification fulfills the 16-hour California training requirement for applicants seeking a Riverside County Resident or Non-Resident CCW Permit. We are an Approved Vendor by Riverside County Sheriff Concealed Weapons Permit Unit.
It features:
- Professional instructor-led video lessons and classroom recordings
- Real-world scenario breakdowns, analysis, explanations and interpretations from self-defense and legal experts
- Audio narrations of California Firearms Laws in plain language for on-the-go learning and deeper understanding.
- Dynamic visual aids, digital study guides, at home and on range training tools and knowledge checks to help focus your learning.
- Student support and additional concierge application assistance available 7 days a week
- Developed to accommodate travelers, this course teaches how to responsibly and legally carry in California while also exploring multi-state considerations for those who cross into neighboring states like Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Oregon.
Course Modules Include:
Introduction to California’s CCW Laws:
You’ll learn the core legal foundations and requirements for carrying concealed in California, with a focus on how the laws apply specifically to concealed carry for Riverside County Residents and out-of-state non-resident applicants.
Understanding Use of Force and Self-Defense Laws:
Explore California’s legal definitions of reasonable force, deadly force, and what qualifies as justifiable self-defense under state law.
Firearm Safety and Storage Requirements:
Review the safe handling, storage, and transportation practices required by California law and best practices for responsibly armed citizens.
Concealed Carry Rules for California Residents and Non-Residents:
Understand your responsibilities and limitations as a California CCW permit holder, including where you can and cannot legally carry.
Traveling with Firearms: Federal and Multi State State Considerations:
Learn from experts how to legally travel across state lines and through restricted jurisdictions, with insights into the Firearm Owners Protection Act (F.O.P.A.) and local reciprocity laws.
Dry Fire and Live Fire Training Essentials:
Build a solid personal training routine, whether at home or the range, and prepare for your live-fire qualification in your home state, with confidence.
Justifications for Use of Force vs. Firearms Misconduct:
Compare lawful defensive firearm use with actions that could be considered negligent or criminal under California law.
Interacting with Law Enforcement While Armed:
Learn how to safely and respectfully handle encounters with law enforcement while carrying a concealed firearm, including your duty to inform as compared to other states.
Mental Health Component:
As required by the State of California Department of Justice this course includes a mandatory mental health component discussing the important topics you need to know.
Situational Awareness and De-escalation Techniques:
Master the mental and tactical skills of conflict avoidance, threat recognition, and how to de-escalate potentially dangerous encounters before they become violent.
California CCW Application Process and Concierge Support:
Get a step-by-step walkthrough of the application process, including required documents, online submission, fingerprinting, video interview, streamlined live-fire qualification in Riverside County OR in your state to complete the course requirements.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way:
Thanks to the instructional excellence of John Galletta, the curriculum coordination with Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and the trusted support of Safehouse Defense, this course delivers a best-in-class training experience.
Our concierge-level support team is available 7 days a week to assist with any technical support, instructor questions, or application submission needs. Whether you’re just beginning your CCW journey or ready to submit your application online, we’re here to help make the process seamless.
We are proud to provide this first-of-its-kind online training experience and honored to support your journey as a responsibly armed citizen—in California and wherever your travels may take you.
Thanks for choosing us for your Riverside County CCW Education. Feel free to check our 5 Star reviews and to contact us with questions. Our support team can be reached 7 days a week at 1-623-850-4134 or by clicking on the Contact Us button on this website.
