By Dave Workman
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for what it calls the “systematic obstruction of constitutional rights” by forcing permit applicants to wait “wait an average of 281 days—over nine months—just to begin processing their applications.”
The nine-page complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, was filed by a team led by Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
Months ago, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the creation of a Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force within the agency. Tuesday’s action might be considered the first serious move by DOJ to affirm that group’s existence.
“The scope of this constitutional violation is staggering,” according to the lawsuit. “Between January 2024 and March 2025, Defendants received 3,982 applications for new concealed carry licenses. Of these, they approved exactly two—a mere 0.05% approval rate that cannot be explained by legitimate disqualifying factors alone. This is not bureaucratic inefficiency; it is systematic obstruction of constitutional rights.
“The mechanics of this obstruction are equally damning,” the lawsuit continues. “Defendants force applicants to wait an average of 281 days—over nine months—just to begin processing their applications, with some waiting as long as 1,030 days (nearly three years). The median delay is 372 days. These delays far exceed California’s own statutory requirement that licensing authorities provide initial determinations within 90 days, demonstrating Defendants’ flagrant disregard for both state law and constitutional obligations.”
Named as defendants are the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Robert Luna, in his official capacity.
Almost immediately, the Second Amendment Foundation—which also has a legal challenge against the sheriff’s department in a case known as CRPA v. LASD, with the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation and Gun Owners of California, as partners—hailed the DOJ lawsuit.
“There is no doubt the DOJ’s lawsuit is a shot across the bow letting everyone know the federal government will not tolerate infringements on the Second Amendment rights of Americans,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. “It’s also no surprise this case was filed in California as the state is one of the worst for abusing the constitutional rights of its citizens. SAF has numerous ongoing lawsuits in California, and we will continue to fight to ensure the right to keep and bear arms isn’t relegated to a second-class right.”
“This is a landmark lawsuit in that it’s the first time the Department of Justice has ever filed a case in support of gun owners,” added SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “We are thrilled to see the federal government step up and defend the Second Amendment rights of citizens and hope this pattern continues around the country.”
“CRPA and our allies blazed a trail over the past three years, going county-by-county across California to ensure Bruen-compliant CCW processes,” noted CRPA President & General Counsel Chuck Michel. “Stubborn jurisdictions, such as Los Angeles, dug in their heels with delays, fees, and new requirements to keep lawful citizens from securing CCW’s. We are thrilled that the Trump Administration finds this abuse as egregious as we do.”
Bondi issued a statement declaring, “The Second Amendment protects the fundamental constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. Los Angeles County may not like that right, but the Constitution does not allow them to infringe upon it. This Department of Justice will continue to fight for the Second Amendment.”
“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” Dhillon explained. “This lawsuit seeks to stop Los Angeles County’s egregious pattern and practice of delaying law-abiding citizens from exercising their right to bear arms.”
The DOJ announcement carried this request, which might be considered ominous by Los Angeles Sheriff’s officials: “If you or someone you know has applied for a concealed carry permit in Los Angeles or any jurisdiction within the United States and have not received a reply or decision within four months after applying, please email Community.2ndAmendmentCA@usdoj.gov. The mailbox is actively monitored by attorneys assigned to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Workman is editor-in-chief at TheGunMag.com
