DOJ Sues LA Sheriff Robert Luna Over Permit Delays

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Robert Luna, alleging the agency has systematically delayed concealed-carry permit decisions in a way that violates Californians’ Second Amendment rights. DOJ investigators say LASD approved only two permits out of more than 8,000 applications reviewed (including renewals) and that new-application processing averaged roughly 281–300 days, with some interviews scheduled years out, exceeding the state’s 90-day statutory review window. The complaint describes the delays as a deliberate pattern and practice of obstruction that effectively denies the right to carry outside the home, and the DOJ is seeking declaratory relief and a permanent injunction to force timely processing. The sheriff’s office has previously said it has issued thousands of licenses overall, attributed delays to a staffing crisis, and said it is working through roughly 4,000 active cases; LASD did not immediately provide a new comment on the lawsuit. Attorney General Pam Bondi framed the suit as defending a fundamental constitutional right and said the DOJ will continue to press the case in federal court.