Case: DOJ Pattern or Practice Investigation of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

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 it intended to examine potential infringements on the Second Amendment by LASD in its initial findings letter, primarily regarding effective denials or otherwise undue burden in acquiring concealed handgun licenses. The letter cited a court finding related to eighteen-month delays in processing of concealed handgun license applications.

In a press release also dated March 27, the DOJ accused California of being a "particularly egregious" offender of the Second Amendment in witholding concealed carry permits and otherwise imposing substantial fees and wait times. The Trump Administration's Attorney General, Pam Bondi, stated as part of the announcement: “This Department of Justice will not stand idly by while States and localities infringe on the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans. The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and under my watch, the Department will actively enforce the Second Amendment just like it actively enforces other fundamental constitutional rights.” The announcement also warned: "If necessary, today’s announcement will be the first of many similar investigations, lawsuits, or other actions involving other localities in California, the State of California itself, and any other states or localities that insist on unduly burdening, or effectively denying, the Second Amendment rights of their ordinary, law-abiding citizens."

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.

This investigation is ongoing.