The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed its first-ever affirmative lawsuit supporting gun owners on September 30, targeting Los Angeles County for allegedly blocking concealed carry permits. The Civil Rights Division’s suit claims the Sheriff’s Department violated Second Amendment rights through excessive delays.
The lawsuit follows a March investigation into complaints about the processing times for permits. Federal attorneys analyzed over 8,000 applications and found systemic problems.
Only two permits were approved from those thousands of applications, according to the suit. The Sheriff’s Department scheduled approval interviews up to two years after receiving completed applications.
“The Second Amendment protects the fundamental constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Los Angeles County may not like that right, but the Constitution does not allow them to infringe upon it.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized the importance of constitutional priorities. “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” Dhillon said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli highlighted public safety concerns. “Citizens living in high-crime areas cannot afford to wait to protect themselves with firearms while Los Angeles County dithers,” Essayli said.
California law sets specific timeframes for permit decisions. The lawsuit alleges Los Angeles County violated both state requirements and Supreme Court precedent.
The DOJ created a dedicated email for similar complaints nationwide. Citizens waiting over four months for permit decisions can contact [email protected].