The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has significantly reduced the delays in processing concealed carry permit applications. This action comes after a Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit accused the department of leaving thousands waiting for up to three years. The DOJ announced the settlement, indicating that LASD is now adhering to California’s permitting deadlines, thanks to added personnel and new software.
This case highlighted the Trump administration’s focus on safeguarding Second Amendment rights. According to the DOJ, the result is a victory for Los Angeles County residents and gun owners. The LASD settlement with the DOJ marks the end of a high-profile case initiated in September 2025, which was the first DOJ lawsuit supporting Second Amendment rights explicitly.
The DOJ noted that applicants, on average, waited more than nine months for permit decisions. Following the lawsuit, LASD has reduced these wait times and now complies with state deadlines.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division acknowledged the LASD’s corrective measures. “The sheriff devoted substantial resources to cut waiting times,” Dhillon said.
The lawsuit stemmed from a DOJ investigation opened in March 2025. The DOJ examined whether LASD was infringing on residents’ rights by delaying permits excessively. Complaints about handling concealed carry applications prompted a deeper investigation, leading to a lawsuit in September 2025.
Federal prosecutors noted that from January 2024 to March 2025, LASD received 3,982 applications but approved only two by May 2025. A substantial number of applications remained unresolved, and the DOJ claimed this was a “pattern or practice” resulting in rights deprivation. California law mandates initial action within 90 days, a requirement previously unmet by LASD.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized, “The Second Amendment protects the fundamental constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.” The case paralleled litigation from gun rights groups challenging California’s concealed carry restrictions, leading to changes in the law.
The DOJ established a Second Amendment Section to handle federal civil rights enforcement related to gun laws. The settlement with LASD included commitments to maintain transparent and timely processing standards.
The DOJ praised Sheriff Robert Luna’s initiatives for eliminating the application backlog. They encouraged continued public reporting of any infringements on Second Amendment rights.
Fox News attempted to reach out to LASD for comments. Stepheny Price, a writer focusing on West Coast and Midwest news, contributed to this report.