Justice Department and LA County Sheriff’s Department Settle Lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice settled a lawsuit with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after it reduced firearm carry permit wait times from over nine months to compliance with statutory deadlines following the Bruen decision.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) addressing delays in issuing firearm carry permits. The agreement requires LCSD to align its procedures with the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, which mandates objective standards and timely processing for permit applications. Prior to the lawsuit, applicants faced average wait times exceeding nine months, prompting federal intervention.
LCSD responded to the lawsuit by implementing new processing software and hiring additional personnel to expedite permit issuance. The department now meets statutory deadlines, reducing delays significantly. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division praised LCSD’s efforts, noting the collaboration resolved the litigation successfully.
The Justice Department’s Second Amendment Section enforces federal laws, including the Second Amendment and the Police Pattern or Practice Act. Individuals who believe their firearm rights have been infringed may submit complaints via the Justice Department’s website. The settlement concludes a dispute over permit delays while ensuring compliance with constitutional standards.
In a separate action, the Department of Justice is monitoring polling sites in two Minnesota counties for the state’s primary election to uphold transparency, ballot security, and federal law compliance. The monitoring aims to address potential voting rights concerns during the electoral process.