The two men involved in the shooting at Toys R Us in Palm Desert on Friday did not have licenses to carry concealed weapons, according to police officials.

The men, Alejandro Hernandez Moreno, 39, of Desert Hot Springs and Juan Carlos Meza, 28, of Cathedral City, died in what witnesses to the shooting described as a gruesome confrontation.

Sheriff's officials reiterated Tuesday that Moreno and Meza fatally shot each other.

When police arrived at the scene, they reportedly found one handgun near each of the dead men.

That the men were not authorized to carry concealed weapons is not unusual — few Riverside County residents have “concealed carry weapons licenses, ” authorities say.

“There's an underground black market economy for weapons throughout the state, throughout the region,” Indio Police Chief Brad Ramos said. “I'm concerned in Indio. I'm concerned in the Coachella Valley. I'm concerned in the state. It is something that concerns me.”

Last year, 734 county residents were licensed to carry concealed weapons, according to the California Department of Justice.

The license allows a person to carry a loaded pistol, revolver or other firearm that's capable of being concealed on that person.

It's not easy to get a concealed carry license. Private citizens must prove a demonstrated need for special protection and meet strict requirements.

“I can't just go in there and say I need a permit for protection,” said Ben Guitron, Indio Police Department spokesman. “Not in California.”

Guitron said the state's gun laws are among the most strict in the country.

Concealed carry licenses can only be issued by the sheriff of a county or chief of a municipal police department, according to the California Department of Justice.

A license may be issued upon proof that the person applying is of “good moral character; that good cause exists for the issuance; and that the person applying is a resident of the county or a city within the county, or spends a substantial period of time in the applicant's principal place of employment or business in the county or a city within the county,” according the the state Penal Code.

The applicant must provide a description of the weapon or weapons authorized to be carried, giving the name of the manufacturer, the serial number and the caliber.

In addition, fingerprints of each applicant are taken and sent to the state Department of Justice.

Proof of moral character is subjective and can vary from one law enforcement agency to another, said Dana Simas, spokeswoman for the California attorney general's office.

“The issuing agency pretty much determines what the definition of good moral character is,” said Simas.

“It's a lengthy process,” said Judy Williams, with the office of Cathedral City Police Chief Stan Henry.

The department's standards are stricter than those imposed by the state.

The Cathedral City Police Department requires a background investigation, psychological evaluation and clearance by a medical doctor as part of its application process, said Williams.

Licenses may be issued to retired or reserve law enforcement officers, judges of a California court of record, a full-time court commissioner or a federal judge or magistrate.

In addition, licenses may be issued to civilians who work in the sheriff's department, or those who demonstrate they are in need of special protection such as jewelers or people who travel at irregular hours or carry large sums of money.

The choice of weapon is a personal decision.

“Something that's small and easily concealable,” said Sam Cross, director of General Operations for Palm Desert-based Coachella Valley Security Academy.

Cross, who joined the Indio Police Department as an officer in 1972, served as the city's police chief during his final years, retiring in 1985.

The training academy, for security officers and other security professionals, also offers Livescan, a fingerprinting and identity verification service, firearms sales and firearms training classes.

Small-caliber semi-automatic handguns, compact 9 mm handguns and short-barreled .38- and .357-caliber revolvers are among the firearms favored by concealed weapons carriers, said Cross.