The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) faced scrutiny over delays in processing concealed carry permit applications. A lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the department of significant delays, causing some applicants to wait nearly three years for a permit decision.
The DOJ’s intervention led to a resolution. The LASD improved processing times by hiring more personnel and introducing new software. The DOJ confirmed that the department now meets California’s permitting deadlines.
This lawsuit was part of a greater initiative by the Trump administration to uphold Second Amendment rights. The DOJ described the lawsuit’s resolution as a victory for both Los Angeles County residents and gun owners.
“The sheriff acknowledged the problem and devoted substantial additional resources, including new processing software and additional personnel, to cutting waiting times dramatically,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
The DOJ originally filed the lawsuit in September 2025, marking the first time the department took such an action in favor of gun owners’ rights. When filed, some applicants faced a wait of over nine months for permit decisions.
The settlement stemmed from a pattern-or-practice investigation initiated in March 2025, which suggested the LASD was preventing residents from exercising their right to bear arms through protracted delays.
The DOJ alleged that, during a specific period, the LASD processed very few of the nearly 4,000 applications received and left many unresolved. The lawsuit claimed the department’s delays amounted to denying constitutional rights.
California’s law requires permit decisions within 90 days. The DOJ argued that the LASD’s prolongation forced applicants to give up pursuing permits. The Civil Rights Division has been involved in similar cases across different jurisdictions.
As a result of the settlement, LASD agreed to maintain procedures ensuring timely processing of applications. The DOJ applauded the department for eliminating the backlog by using additional resources and technology.
The DOJ will continue accepting complaints from individuals who believe their Second Amendment rights are being infringed upon by local authorities.
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