The big gun bigot response nowadays: try to make it so expensive

and difficult that most people won't try to get through it.
First, it is expensive. The cost for the permit, the fingerprinting, the psychological test, and the firearms testing and qualification test is $2,607 for first time applicants and there is no refund of any of it if they deny you anywhere in the process.

The second thing is that it is incredibly restrictive as to handgun and caliber. It goes well beyond the California Roster of Handguns. You are restricted to four calibers and to pistols and revolvers from certain manufacturers. If you want to use a Colt 1911, forget it. 1911's and all single-action semiautomatic pistols are prohibited. If you think you might like a pocket pistol like the Ruger LCP in .380, forget it as you are limited to pistols in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

If you think you might want to use the S&W Model 29 made famous by the fictional SFPD Inspector Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry movies, you can forget that as well. Only revolvers in .38 Special are allowed. Moreover, you are only allowed to carry the weapon with which you qualified.
Some of the restrictions:
If you look at the further pages, you'll see an excuse of 'Most fees are set by federal statutory rates,'. Really? For state stuff? 'Testing & qualification is $1722.00. Requalification is $1054.96.

Sheriff Hennessey, you suck. You're a miserable little gun bigot, and you suck like a turbo-powered Hoover.