Even the Obama packed 9th Circuit wanted nothing to do with reversing the panel.
My guess is they think the 5 in Heller and McDonald would slap them down.
They saw the election results.
The majorities for national reciprocity for concealed carry have been there for probably 8 years. They may have decided not to buck the flow on this. Hard to see how courts refuse to allow visitors from other states their constitutional rights.
Big chunks of California had virtual “Shall Issue” already.
“May issue” is simply not sustainable under Heller and McDonald, unless you as willing to be completely dishonest, as has happened in some of the other circuits.