DOJ Files Lawsuit Against LA Sheriff’s Department For Infringing Second Amendment

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit today against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department “due to their practice of infringing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens seeking concealed carry weapons (CCW) permits,” the department announced in a press release. The lawsuit is the first affirmative lawsuit in support of gun owners filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The lawsuit follows numerous complaints received by the Division and an investigation conducted by attorneys at the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys within the Central District of California’s U.S. Attorney Office.

According to the announcement:

Shortly after Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon was sworn in to lead the Civil Rights Division, numerous complaints received by the Division revealed inexplicable delays well beyond California statutory requirements and in violation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. 

Almost two months after receiving notice of the Division’s investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provided data and documents that revealed only two approvals from over 8,000 applications, and that the Sheriff’s Department set out interviews to approve licenses as far as two years after receiving the completed application. 

“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” said Assistant AG Dhillon. “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 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. This Department of Justice will continue to fight for the Second Amendment.”

“Citizens living in high-crime areas cannot afford to wait to protect themselves with firearms while Los Angeles County dithers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The right to bear arms is among the founding principles of our nation. It can and must be upheld.”

The DOJ is urging the public to contact them with their concealed carry permit concerns. “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.”