The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a legal action against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), accusing it of violating the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens seeking to carry concealed weapons. The lawsuit alleges that LASD systematically delayed processing concealed carry weapon permits for thousands of applicants, effectively obstructing their constitutional rights.
According to the Justice Department, LASD approved only two concealed carry permits out of over 8,000 applications submitted during a 15-month period, with some applicants awaiting interviews as long as two years. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division highlighted that the department’s delays constituted an “egregious pattern and practice” of denying citizens the right to bear arms outside their homes.
“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” stated Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, emphasizing the lawsuit’s goal to compel LASD to issue permits in compliance with California law. The complaint noted that the sheriff’s department takes an average of 281 days to begin processing applications, violating a state mandate requiring initial reviews within 90 days.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to force LASD to adhere to timely permit issuance. Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has maintained his stance on gun control, though recent legal challenges have blocked efforts to restrict firearm access in public spaces. The case marks the first of its kind under the Second Amendment, positioning the DOJ as a defender of individual arm-bearing rights against systemic bureaucratic obstruction.