The Supreme Court, anticipating resistant jurisdictions in a post-Bruen world, warned that “because any permitting scheme can be put toward abusive ends, we do not rule out constitutional challenges to shall-issue regimes where, for example, lengthy wait times in processing license applications or exorbitant fees deny ordinary citizens their right to public carry.” This lawsuit seeks to vindicate the rights of the plaintiffs in that vein and also challenges California’s refusal to honor other state’s permits.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department admits it takes a year to a year and a half to process a CCW application. The La Verne Police Department’s CCW application process costs between $900-$1100 for the initial application and over $500 for a renewal which is necessary every two years. Additionally, both the LASD and LVPD impose subjective permit-issuance criteria, in direct contravention to the Supreme Court’s edict in Bruen. For example, LVPD requires an invasive psychological examination of which the applicant will be required to fund the full cost of starting January 2024. LASD requires the applicants produce copies of past employment files.
On December 4, 2023, the Second Amendment Foundation, joined by seven individuals, and four civil rights organizations, filed suit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Luna, the LA Verne Police Department, LA Verne Chief of Police Flores, the California Attorney General, and Does 1-10. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction, along with declaratory relief, including a “declaration that the Attorney General must honor CCW permits issued by other states, whether the permit holder is a resident of California or not, and/or a declaration that the Attorney General must permit residents of other states to acquire CCW permits in California.”
Case Team: Donald Kilmer, C.D. Michel, Joshua Dale, Konstandinos Moros, Alexander Frank
Case Documents
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