Protecting the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans remains a top priority for the current Administration. As part of a comprehensive review aimed at addressing restrictive firearms-related laws across California and other states, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has initiated an investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This investigation seeks to determine whether the department is engaging in a pattern of practices that deprive ordinary, law-abiding Californians of their constitutional rights under the Second Amendment.
A recent federal court ruling highlighted that “the law and facts were clearly in … favor” of two private plaintiffs who challenged the extensive eighteen-month delays imposed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in processing their applications for concealed handgun licenses. The Civil Rights Division has reasons to believe that these two plaintiffs are not isolated cases; many residents of Los Angeles County could be facing similar, excessively long delays that not only burden but effectively deny their Second Amendment rights.
The Supreme Court has consistently reinforced that the Second Amendment is not to be treated as “a second-class right.” Over the past twenty years, the Court has affirmed that the Second Amendment is a fundamental, individual constitutional right, taking several opportunities to strengthen its protections for ordinary, law-abiding citizens. However, some states and local governments have resisted this trend, with California being notably problematic in this regard.
In response to recent Supreme Court rulings, California has enacted new legislation that further restricts the ability of ordinary, law-abiding Californians to keep and bear arms. Furthermore, numerous localities within California appear to impose additional burdens beyond what is mandated by state law. This includes subjecting law-abiding citizens to high fees and prolonged wait times when applying for concealed handgun licenses.
“This Department of Justice will not stand idly by while states and localities infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans,” stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi. She emphasized that the Second Amendment is a fundamental right, and under her leadership, the Department will actively enforce these rights just as it does with other essential constitutional protections.
Attorney General Bondi expressed hope that states and localities will voluntarily acknowledge their responsibility to uphold the Second Amendment rights of their citizens. However, today’s announcement marks the beginning of potential investigations, lawsuits, or other actions against California localities, the State of California itself, and any other places that impose undue burdens or effectively deny the Second Amendment rights of their ordinary, law-abiding citizens.
