Full Breakdown
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Settles DOJ Lawsuit Over Concealed-Carry Permit Delays
8/14/2026, 4:42:49 AM
Settlement Details
On August 13, 2026, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that requires the agency to continue processing concealed-carry permit applications within statutory deadlines and to align its procedures with the Supreme Court’s *Bruen* decision. The settlement resolves a federal lawsuit alleging that the department systematically denied Californians their Second Amendment rights by imposing unreasonably long wait times. The sheriff’s office did not admit wrongdoing.
Background & Context
The DOJ’s civil rights division filed the suit in September, contending that the department’s practice of delaying permit reviews for months—sometimes over two years—constituted an unconstitutional burden under *New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen* (2022). The case focused on bureaucratic inefficiencies rather than policy disagreements between the Trump administration and California officials.
Timeline
- September (year unspecified) – DOJ files lawsuit alleging systematic delays.
- Early 2024 – March 31 2025 – Sheriff’s Department receives almost 4,000 new concealed-carry applications but issues only two permits.
- August 13 2026 – Settlement announced; department commits to maintaining deadline compliance and adopting *Bruen*-consistent procedures.
Data & Statistics
- 3,982 applications received between early 2024 and March 2025; 2 approved.
- DOJ complaint cites an average processing time of nearly 300 days for more than 8,000 new permits and renewals over the same 15-month period (Los Angeles Times).
- Department reports that, since December 2022, its backlog fell from about 10,000 to 3,200 applications, and 19,000 permits have been approved since 2020 (Los Angeles Times).
- The county’s population was about 9.7 million in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, leading the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, said the settlement reflects the department’s “drastic” reduction in wait times and its current compliance with state deadlines. The sheriff’s office issued a statement welcoming the resolution and acknowledging the DOJ’s recognition of the steps taken to improve processing, including the creation of a dedicated Carry Conceal Unit staffed by 16 full-time personnel in summer 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The sheriff acknowledged the problem and devoted substantial additional resources, including new processing software and additional personnel, to cutting waiting times dramatically,” — Harmeet Dhillon
Impact and Next Steps
The settlement obligates the sheriff’s department to continue initiating reviews within 90 days of receipt and to maintain processing speeds that satisfy *Bruen* standards. Ongoing judicial oversight will ensure adherence, and the department’s new software and staffing enhancements are expected to prevent future backlogs. The agreement is portrayed by the DOJ as a “huge win” for Second-Amendment rights in Los Angeles County.
