L.A. County Sheriff Faces Lawsuit Over Gun Permits
- Department of Justice alleges the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department violated the Second Amendment rights of gun owners through excessive delays in processing concealed carry permit applications.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Robert Luna.
- This marks the first time the DOJ has initiated legal action to affirmatively support gun owners' rights, according to the Second Amendment Foundation.
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Justice Department Sues Los angeles County sheriff Over Concealed Carry Permit Delays
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The U.S. Department of Justice alleges the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department violated the Second Amendment rights of gun owners through excessive delays in processing concealed carry permit applications.
What Happened
On May 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Robert Luna. The DOJ contends the department has systematically violated the second Amendment rights of Los Angeles county residents by unreasonably delaying decisions on concealed carry permit applications. The complaint alleges the delays effectively force applicants “to abandon their constitutional rights through administrative exhaustion.”
This marks the first time the DOJ has initiated legal action to affirmatively support gun owners’ rights, according to the Second Amendment Foundation.
the lawsuit follows a December 2023 suit filed by the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) against the Sheriff’s Department, alleging similar delays and rejections of concealed carry license applications. In January 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Sherilyn P. Garnett ordered the department to expedite processing times in response to the CRPA’s complaint. The Los Angeles Times reported on the judge’s order.
The DOJ is seeking a permanent injunction requiring the Sheriff’s Department to process applications within a reasonable timeframe.
Key Details and Timelines
| Date | event |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) sues Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department over concealed carry permit delays. |
| January 2024 | U.S.District Court Judge Sherilyn P. Garnett orders the Sheriff’s Department to reduce application processing delays. |
| May 9, 2024 | U.S. Department of Justice files a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Robert Luna. |
Reactions
Gun rights groups have praised the DOJ’s action. Adam kraut, executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation, stated, “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.” He expressed hope that this would set a precedent for federal defense of Second Amendment rights across the country.The DOJ’s press release details the specifics of the complaint.