At a August 28, 2009 public forum in Placerville, four of the seven candidates promised to institute a policy of issuing concealed weapon permits to any residents who take the training and pass a background check, vowing that "self-protection" will be considered adequate "good cause" for requesting a permit.  Those candidates are John D'Agostini, an investigator with the Amador County District Attorney's Office and a former Amador County sheriff's deputy, Larry Hennick, who served 32 years with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, Craig Therkildsen, a captain with the Sheriff's Department, and Stan Perez, retired chief of the California Highway Patrol's Valley Division.

Three other candidates gave answers that were non-committal.  Ernest Hillman, retired El Dorado County undersheriff, would only drop the requirement to submit three letters of reference.  George Nielsen, Placerville police chief, would help applicants articulate "good cause," not eliminate the requirement.  Bob Luca, retired chief of the California Bureau of Investigation,  said  he favors a "shall issue" policy, but the sheriff must abide by state law.

All seven are declared candidates for Sheriff Jeff Neves's seat, as he said he will not run in 2010