Case: United States. v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna

2:25-cv-09323 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 30, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This lawsuit arose following a prior case, California Rifle and Pistol Association, Incorporated v. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, as well as a Department of Justice Investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department regarding delays or other burdens in acquiring concealed handgun licenses. 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 sys…

This lawsuit arose following a prior case, California Rifle and Pistol Association, Incorporated v. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, as well as a Department of Justice Investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department regarding delays or other burdens in acquiring concealed handgun licenses.

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. The complaint alleged 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 charged 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 As of May 2025, approximately 1,210 applications have been withdrawn, and 2,768 applications remained pending, with interviews scheduled as late as November 2026. The United States contended 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 sought 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.

The case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Ben Hefter (7/29/2025)

Jack Buckfire (12/1/2025)

Related Cases

California Rifle and Pistol Association, Incorporated v. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Central District of California (2023)

People

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/


Judge(s)

Scarsi, Mark Christopher (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hamill, Julie Ann (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

U.S. Department of Justice Announces Second Amendment Pattern-orPractice Investigation into California’s Los Angeles County

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

No Court

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

Press Release
1

2:25-cv-09323

Complaint

United States of America v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Complaint
2

2:25-cv-09323

Civil Cover Sheet

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Other
3

2:25-cv-09323

Notice of Related Cases

United States of America v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
7

2:25-cv-09323

Order Re Transfer (Related Cases)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71497550/united-states-v-los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department/

Last updated Sept. 8, 2026, 3:39 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 30, 2025

COMPLAINT No Fee Required - US Government, filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Julie Ann Hamill added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Clearinghouse
2 Sept. 30, 2025

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Clearinghouse
3 Sept. 30, 2025

NOTICE of Related Case(s) filed by Plaintiff United States of America. Related Case(s): 2:23-cv-10169-SPG-ADS (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Clearinghouse
4 Oct. 8, 2025

NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Mark C. Scarsi and Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver. (jp) (Entered: 10/08/2025)

RECAP
5 Oct. 8, 2025

NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (jp) (Entered: 10/08/2025)

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6 Oct. 8, 2025

Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (jp) (Entered: 10/08/2025)

RECAP
7 Oct. 17, 2025

ORDER RE TRANSFER PURSUANT to this Court's General Order in the Matter of Assignment of Cases and Duties to the District Judges. Related Case- filed. Related Case No: 2:23-cv-10169-SPG-ADSx. Case transferred from Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver and Judge Mark C. Scarsi to Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett and Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth for all further proceedings. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judge 2:25-cv-09323-SPG-ADSx. Signed by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. (aco) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Clearinghouse
8 Oct. 27, 2025

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

RECAP
9 Oct. 27, 2025

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

RECAP
10 Oct. 28, 2025

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Request to Issue Summons RE: Summons Request 8, 9 . The following error(s) was found: The case number and/or judge(s) initials are missing. The caption of the summons must match the caption of the complaint verbatim. If the caption is too large to fit in the space provided, enter the name of the first party and then write "see attached."Next, attach a face page of the complaint or a second page addendum to the Summons. The summons cannot be issued until this defect has been corrected. Please correct the defect and re-file your request. (iv) (Entered: 10/28/2025)

RECAP
11 Nov. 3, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by Plaintiff United States of America. upon Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department waiver sent by Plaintiff on 10/28/2025, answer due 12/29/2025. Waiver of Service signed by Ryan Chabot. (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

RECAP
12 Nov. 3, 2025

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by Plaintiff United States of America. upon Robert Luna waiver sent by Plaintiff on 10/28/2025, answer due 12/29/2025. Waiver of Service signed by Ryan Chabot. (Hamill, Julie) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

RECAP
13 Nov. 18, 2025

STANDING ORDER upon filing of the complaint by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. (pg) (Entered: 11/18/2025)

RECAP
14 Nov. 22, 2025

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Andrew Michael Darlington counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding Andrew Darlington as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Andrew Michael Darlington added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 11/22/2025)

RECAP
15 Nov. 24, 2025

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney William Joseph Hanrahan counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding William J. Hanrahan as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney William Joseph Hanrahan added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 11/24/2025)

RECAP
16 Dec. 22, 2025

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Mark D. Selwyn counsel for Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna. Adding Mark D. Selwyn as counsel of record for Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendants Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna. (Attorney Mark D. Selwyn added to party Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department(pty:dft), Attorney Mark D. Selwyn added to party Robert Luna(pty:dft))(Selwyn, Mark) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

RECAP
17 Dec. 22, 2025

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Joshua A Vittor counsel for Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna. Adding Joshua Vittor as counsel of record for Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendants Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna. (Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Robert Luna(pty:dft))(Vittor, Joshua) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

RECAP
18 Dec. 29, 2025

ANSWER to Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 with JURY DEMAND filed by Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna.(Selwyn, Mark) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

RECAP
19 Dec. 30, 2025

ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Rule 26 Meeting Report due by 1/14/2026. Scheduling Conference set for 1/28/2026 at 03:00 PM before Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. (pg) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

RECAP
20 Jan. 5, 2026

APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Ryan M. Chabot to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $450 Previously Paid on 1/5/2026, Receipt No. ACACDC-41204346) filed by Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Vittor, Joshua) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

RECAP
21 Jan. 6, 2026

ORDER by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett: granting 20 Non-Resident Attorney Ryan M. Chabot APPLICATION to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna, designating Joshua Vittor as local counsel. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY (sbou) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

RECAP
22 Jan. 6, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Katie Moran counsel for Defendants Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Robert Luna. Adding Kathleen B. Moran as counsel of record for Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendants Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Robert Luna. (Attorney Katie Moran added to party Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department(pty:dft), Attorney Katie Moran added to party Robert Luna(pty:dft))(Moran, Katie) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

RECAP
Jan. 6, 2026

Appear Pro Hac Vice

23 Jan. 8, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Austin Marshall Fulk counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Filed by plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Austin Marshall Fulk added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Fulk, Austin) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

RECAP
24 Jan. 14, 2026

SCHEDULING REPORT of SCHEDULING REPORT filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Proposed Timeline)(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

1 Supplement Proposed Timeline

View on RECAP

RECAP
25 Jan. 14, 2026

NOTICE OF ERRATA filed by Plaintiff United States of America. correcting Report 24 (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Proposed Timeline)(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

RECAP
26 Jan. 16, 2026

(IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett: The Court has reviewed the Joint Rule 26(f) Report submitted by the parties and determines that an in-person Scheduling Conference is unnecessary. Accordingly, the Court VACATES the January 28, 2026, Scheduling Conference. Trial Order to be issued. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (pg) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/16/2026)

RECAP
Jan. 16, 2026

Text Only Scheduling Notice

27 Jan. 26, 2026

ORDER/REFERRAL to ADR Procedure No 1 by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Case ordered to Magistrate Judge assigned to the case for Settlement Conference. ADR Proceeding to be held no later than 12/2/2026. (iv) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

RECAP
28 Jan. 26, 2026

STANDING ORDER FOR MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. READ THIS ORDER CAREFULLY. IT CONTROLS THIS CASE AND DIFFERS IN SOME RESPECTS FROM THE LOCAL RULES. (iv) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

RECAP
29 Jan. 26, 2026

CIVIL PRETRIAL SCHEDULE AND TRIAL ORDER by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Final Pretrial Conference set for 1/6/2027 at 3:00 PM before Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Jury Trial set for 1/26/2027 at 8:30 AM before Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. SEE ORDER FOR DETAILS. (Attachments: # 1 Schedule of Pretrial and Trial Dates Worksheet) (iv) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

RECAP
30 Jan. 27, 2026

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: This matter has been referred to Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth for settlement conference proceedings 27 . For Judge Spaeth's settlement conference procedures, the parties are referred to her procedures page of the Court's website, https://apps.cacd.uscourts.gov/Jps/honorable-autumn-d-spaeth. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (kh) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/27/2026)

RECAP
Jan. 27, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry

31 April 15, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney John Robert Renner counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding J. Robert Renner as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney John Robert Renner added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Renner, John) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

RECAP
32 April 27, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Barry K. Arrington counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding Barry K. Arrington as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Barry K. Arrington added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

RECAP
33 May 14, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance filed by attorney Austin Harold Artz on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America (Attorney Austin Harold Artz added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Artz, Austin) (Entered: 05/14/2026)

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36 Aug. 13, 2026

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Policing

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

County

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

Robert Luna

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

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):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Wait lists

Recommended Citation