LA Waves White Flag In Concealed Carry Case

What Happened

p>The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has reached a major settlement in a lawsuit challenging its restrictive and slow concealed carry weapon (CCW) permitting process. The agreement forces the department to lower permit fees, speed up application processing times, and allow non-residents to apply for permits for the first time. This marks a significant victory for pro-Second Amendment organizations who argued the department was using administrative barriers to bypass constitutional mandates.

Background

In December 2023, a coalition of legal advocacy groups—including the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Gun Owners of America (GOA), the Gun Owners Foundation, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA)—filed a lawsuit against the LASD. The core of the complaint was that California jurisdictions were employing ‘abusive tactics’ to prevent citizens from carrying firearms. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the LASD was taking 12 to 18 months to process applications, while some other California cities were charging exorbitant fees as high as $1,100 and requiring invasive psychological examinations.

The lawsuit was built on the foundation laid by the Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. In that landmark decision, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly noted that even ‘shall-issue’ jurisdictions cannot use lengthy wait times or exorbitant fees to deny ordinary citizens their right to public carry. The plaintiffs sought to ensure that the Second Amendment rights were not undermined by bureaucratic red tape.

What the Ruling Means for Gun Owners

For the everyday gun owner in Los Angeles County, this settlement brings immediate tangible changes to how firearms law is applied locally. The era of endless delays and prohibitive costs is being challenged. Here are the primary practical impacts:

• Lower Costs: The ‘barrier to entry’ fees are being reduced, making the right to carry more accessible to residents of all income levels.
• Faster Timelines: The department must now comply with its own statutory deadlines for CCW issuance, ending the 12-to-18-month wait periods.
• Non-Resident Eligibility: For the first time, non-residents can apply for permits in this jurisdiction, a major shift for those who work or travel across county lines.
• Elimination of Obstacles: The settlement pushes back against the ‘absurd policy’ of invasive psychological exams that were used to filter out law-abiding citizens.

If you are looking to prepare for your CCW journey or need to update your gear for carry, you can browse firearms at our store to ensure you have the high-quality equipment necessary for your self-defense needs.

What Comes Next

While this settlement is a massive win, it is still awaiting official approval from the Los Angeles County Claims Board. Furthermore, the legal battle is far from over in the state of California. A similar lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is still pending, which could put further pressure on other California counties to reform their permitting practices.

Pro-Second Amendment groups have already signaled that they are not stopping here. CRPA President C.D. Michel stated that focus is now shifting to other cities and counties that are ‘abusing the process.’ The goal is to ensure every qualified, law-abiding Californian can exercise their rights without unlawful government interference.

The Bigger Picture

This case is a perfect microcosm of the current national legal landscape regarding gun rights. Since the Bruen decision, the legal focus has shifted from ‘interest-balancing’ to whether a regulation is consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation. Many jurisdictions have used administrative hurdles—high fees, long waits, and complex testing—to de facto nullify Supreme Court rulings.

As Adam Kraut of the SAF noted, California has long been a ‘petri dish’ for unconstitutional gun laws. By litigating these cases, organizations like the BT Gun Company partners help ensure that the Second Amendment is not treated as a second-class right. This settlement in LA serves as a reminder to local officials nationwide: the Constitution is not a suggestion, and the courts will enforce it.

Stay informed on the latest developments in firearms law by following our updates. If you have questions about local regulations or need assistance with your equipment, visit us at BT Gun Company today to see how we can support your constitutional rights.