News Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, claiming it violated the Second Amendment rights of county gun owners by delaying concealed carry permit applications. The lawsuit cites a significant backlog, with average wait times of nearly 300 days. Despite approving only a handful of licenses amidst thousands of applications, the DOJ seeks a permanent injunction for timely processing. This legal action underscores ongoing tensions and challenges surrounding gun control in California, as well as the sheriff’s department’s focus on lawful application processing.
Los Angeles, CA – The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) led by Sheriff Robert Luna, asserting that the department has violated the Second Amendment rights of gun owners in the county through unreasonably delayed applications for concealed carry permits. This legal action, filed in the Central District of California in federal court, alleges systematic violations that have affected thousands of law-abiding Californians seeking to exercise their right to bear arms outside their homes.
The DOJ claims that between January 2, 2024, and March 31, 2025, a substantial backlog of concealed carry permit applications and renewals was observed. The department reported wait times averaging nearly 300 days for applicants awaiting their interviews. Out of approximately 4,000 applications for new concealed carry licenses during a 15-month period, just two licenses were approved, while two were denied, leaving the majority either pending or withdrawn.
No immediate comment from the LASD has been made regarding the lawsuit. Previously, the sheriff’s department had stated its commitment to processing applications lawfully, asserting that it had approved 15,000 applications while facing a staffing crisis within its Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Unit that impacted processing times.
The DOJ, through Attorney General Pam Bondi, emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ constitutional rights and combating any potential infringement by the Sheriff’s Department. The lawsuit underlines how excessive delays in processing concealed carry applications may force applicants to forfeit their rights. Moreover, the DOJ is seeking a permanent injunction to guarantee that applications are processed in a timely manner.
The ongoing struggle over concealed carry policies has not gone unnoticed. In December 2023, the California Rifle and Pistol Association had already filed a lawsuit against the LASD, citing improper delays and rejections in processing permit applications. A federal judge had previously mandated the sheriff’s department to curtail delays, showing ongoing legal scrutiny over this matter.
The investigation by the DOJ into the LASD commenced in March 2024 following numerous complaints about unreasonable delays, highlighting specific concerns regarding California laws that stipulate an initial review of concealed carry applications within 90 days. The DOJ asserts that some applicants have been scheduled for interviews as far into late 2026, which far exceeds the legally mandated processing timeframes.
The tension surrounding gun control policies has gained heightened attention, especially amid the backdrop of ongoing disputes between the Trump administration and California regarding various policy areas, including immigration enforcement and gun regulations. Adam Kraut of the Second Amendment Foundation referred to the lawsuit as a significant milestone, noting its status as the first instance of the DOJ filing a case in support of gun owners.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has emerged as a vigorous proponent of gun control measures, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges to existing gun laws in courts. As this lawsuit unfolds, it may shape the future of concealed carry regulations and interpretations of the Second Amendment rights within the state and potentially nationwide.
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Additional Resources
- Politico: DOJ Sues LA County Over Concealed Carry Delays
- Los Angeles Times: DOJ Lawsuit Against LASD
- ABC News: DOJ Alleges LASD Delayed Concealed Carry Process
- Google Search: Second Amendment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Second Amendment
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
