Federal officials have launched an investigation into whether the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is infringing on residents’ Second Amendment rights, following a 2023 federal lawsuit from gun rights activists.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division announced the investigation Thursday, March 27, into a potential “pattern or practice of depriving ordinary, law-abiding Californians of their Second Amendment rights.”
The investigation comes after the California Rifle and Pistol Association and other Second Amendment rights activists sued the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Robert Luna, the La Verne Police Department, its police chief and State Attorney General Robert Bonta.
One plaintiff claimed the more than 17 months of delays he faced when applying for a concealed carry weapon permit through the Sheriff’s Department violated his Second Amendment rights, and another claimed the Sheriff’s Department denied his permit because of a break-in at his home where a burglar stole three handguns, according to the complaint.
The DOJ said these previous cases have led them to investigate if county residents are experiencing long delays when applying for concealed carry weapon permits.
Officials with the DOJ said that Second Amendment rights have been upheld in recent Supreme Court cases, but claimed California “has been a particularly egregious offender” of those decisions by enacting laws that require longer waiting periods and education for anyone wanting to buy firearms.
Recent legislation includes a law that requires firearm dealers provide customers with a pamphlet educating them on reasons for and risks of gun ownership and guidance for courts to consider expanding gun violence restraining orders to anyone who has made threats of violence, especially hate-based violence.
The Department of Justice accused California cities of forcing high fees and long wait times on anyone looking to apply for a concealed carry weapon permit. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website, the total cost of an initial two-year concealed carry weapon permit is $216.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the DOJ said they will pursue similar investigations, lawsuits or other actions across California and in other states if they believe those areas are infringing upon residents’ Second Amendment rights.
“The Department of Justice’s investigation is a serious matter, and I will be closely tracking its outcome to ensure that due process and legal protections are respected,” said L.A. County Supervisor Katherine Barger in response to the investigation. “Public safety and individual rights must be balanced, and I remain committed to supporting law-abiding citizens in Los Angeles County.”
The Sheriff’s Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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