News Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for allegedly violating residents’ constitutional rights regarding concealed carry gun licenses. The lawsuit claims the LASD has caused unreasonable delays in processing applications, infringing on the Second Amendment. With only two approvals out of over 8,000 applications and an average processing time of 281 days, the DOJ argues these delays violate California law. The lawsuit seeks to compel timely processing of concealed carry licenses, reflecting ongoing tensions between federal and state approaches to gun rights.
Los Angeles—The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) for allegedly violating constitutional rights concerning concealed carry gun licenses. The lawsuit, lodged in the Central District of California, asserts that LASD has unreasonably delayed the processing of gun license applications, infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of local residents.
According to the complaint, the DOJ claims that the delays in granting licenses significantly curtail the rights of California residents to bear arms outside their homes. The department highlighted that actual statistics reveal only two approvals from over 8,000 concealed carry applications received over a 15-month span, with interviews for potential applicants scheduled as far out as two years. Moreover, the DOJ emphasizes that the average processing time is currently at 281 days, starkly violating California law, which mandates that initial reviews should occur within a 90-day timeframe.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction aimed at compelling the LASD to process concealed carry licenses in a timely manner, as specified by state legislation. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that despite any objections from Los Angeles County regarding the Second Amendment, the Constitution unequivocally protects the rights of law-abiding individuals.
The action follows an investigation by the DOJ that began in March, during which officials discovered the problematic delays plaguing the processing of concealed-carry permit applications in the county. The DOJ’s filing characterizes these delays as a systemic denial of the constitutional right to bear arms, painting a picture of administrative exhaustion faced by those seeking permits.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for advocating stricter gun regulations, stands in juxtaposition to the DOJ’s approach, which has garnered support from pro-Second Amendment groups. These groups view the lawsuit as a significant advancement for gun owners, underscoring the ongoing tension between federal and state jurisdictions regarding gun rights.
This lawsuit occurs within a broader context of legal actions initiated by the Trump administration against California, addressing various state and local policies. A similar situation unfolded in the past when the California Rifle and Pistol Association took legal action against LASD over comparable allegations. A U.S. District Court judge had previously instructed the sheriff’s department to mitigate delays, yet progress has since been minimal.
The LASD has openly acknowledged facing a staffing crisis within its Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Unit, contributing to the backlog of applications. Despite the department’s recognition of these issues, officials maintain that they are actively working through existing cases, but the extent of the delays still poses a significant concern for applicants.
With the DOJ’s lawsuit and previous litigation challenging LASD’s practices, the ability of residents to obtain concealed carry licenses in a reasonable timeframe remains under scrutiny. The ongoing developments point to an increasing conflict over the interpretation and implementation of the Second Amendment both at the state and federal levels.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome may have long-lasting implications for gun rights in California, determining how the state accommodates the concealed carry demands of its residents while balancing various safety regulations. The resolution of this lawsuit could set a precedent impacting not only Los Angeles County but potentially influence gun policy throughout the state and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
DOJ Files Lawsuit Against LA Sheriff’s Department Over CCW Permits
DOJ Sues LASD Over Concealed Carry Permit Delays
Additional Resources
- Politico
- Wikipedia: Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
- ABC News
- Google Search: concealed carry licenses California
- Reuters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Control
- Los Angeles Times
- Google News: Los Angeles Sheriff Department lawsuit
- Washington Examiner
- Google Scholar: Second Amendment gun laws
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
