Filed Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Case Ongoing
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On September 30, 2025, the United States filed a civil rights complaint against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Robert Luna in his official capacity, alleging systematic deprivation of Second Amendment rights through deliberate delays in processing concealed carry license applications.
On March 27, 2025, pursuant to its authority under 34 U.S.C. § 12601, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division announced a pattern or practice investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to determine "whether it is engaging in a pattern or practice of depriving ordinary, law-abiding Californians of their Second Amendment rights." The Department stated on its website that it intended to examine potential infringements on the Second Amendment by LASD, primarily regarding delays or other burdens in acquiring concealed handgun licenses.
The investigation was opened in the wake of California Rifle and Pistol Association, Incorporated v. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, a civil rights suit filed in 2023 by the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), Second Amendment advocates who claimed they were made to wait up to eighteen months for decisions on concealed carry permits within L.A. County. Read more about that case here. Ruling for the plaintiffs, Judge Sherilyn P. Garnett concluded it was likely that at least two of the individuals represented had their Second Amendment rights violated by like denials or delays. Following this suit, and in light of continued delays regarding CCW decisions, the CRPA sent this open letter to the LA Sheriff's Office demanding that all resources necessary be diverted to mitigating wait times. The results of this suit, as well as the office's continued noncompliance, reportedly attracted the attention of the Trump administration, bringing about the investigation.
The complaint alleges that between January 2024 and March 2025, LASD received 3,982 applications for new concealed carry licenses but approved only two—a 0.05% approval rate. The Department charges that applicants face an average wait of 281 days before LASD takes any action on their applications, with a median delay of 372 days and some applicants waiting up to 1,030 days (nearly three years). These delays far exceed California's statutory requirement that licensing authorities provide initial determinations within 90 days. As of May 2025, approximately 2,768 applications remained pending, with interviews scheduled as late as November 2026. An additional 1,210 applicants withdrew their applications, often after waiting months without progress. The United States contends that this constitutes a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives law-abiding individuals of their Second Amendment rights as incorporated through the Fourteenth Amendment, in violation of 34 U.S.C. § 12601. The government seeks declaratory relief establishing that defendants' delays and approval practices violate the Second Amendment, as well as a permanent injunction prohibiting defendants from implementing California's concealed carry licensing regime in a manner that violates constitutional protections.
Summary Authors
Ben Hefter (7/29/2025)
Jack Buckfire (12/1/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71497550/parties/united-states-v-los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department/
Scarsi, Mark Christopher (California)
Hamill, Julie Ann (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71497550/united-states-v-los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department/
Last updated Dec. 3, 2025, 12:29 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division)
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (Los Angeles), County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Second Amendment (Right to Bear Arms)
Other Dockets:
Central District of California 2:25-cv-09323
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: