On Thursday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a significant investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) regarding potential violations of the Second Amendment. This investigation aims to determine whether the sheriff's department is infringing upon the gun rights of Californians by imposing exorbitant fees and subjecting applicants to lengthy wait times for permits.
The DOJ's inquiry was prompted by a federal lawsuit filed by two private plaintiffs. They challenged the LASD's decision to impose an 18-month delay on processing their applications for concealed handgun licenses. The DOJ believes that many other residents in Los Angeles County might be facing similar delays, indicating a broader issue affecting gun rights in the region.
In response to the investigation, the sheriff's department has attributed the delays to a severe staffing crisis. In an official statement, they emphasized their commitment to respecting the Second Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to keep and bear arms. The LASD stated, "We will continue to uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens while ensuring public safety."
The sheriff's department further noted that despite their staffing challenges, with only 14 personnel in the Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Unit, they have successfully approved 15,000 CCW applications. Currently, they are working diligently to address approximately 4,000 active cases, all while striving to meet what they described as an "unfunded mandate."
The investigation also touches on broader concerns regarding California's legislative measures, which have been criticized for further restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "This Department of Justice will not stand idly by while states and localities infringe on the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans." She affirmed that the Second Amendment should not be regarded as a second-class right, reiterating the DOJ's commitment to actively enforce it, just as they do with other fundamental constitutional rights.
Bondi indicated that this investigation is just the beginning, as the DOJ plans to explore other instances where individuals may be improperly denied their Second Amendment rights. The focus remains on ensuring that all Americans can exercise their constitutional rights without unnecessary barriers.
