The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff and California Attorney General Rob Bonta challenging the constitutionality of carry permit issuance policies and laws that make it difficult, if not impossible, for citizens to obtain permits.
Joining SAF are the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Gun Owners of California and several private citizens. They are represented by attorneys Chuck Michel, Joshua Robert Dale, Konstadinos T. Moros and Alexander Frank, all of Long Beach, and Donald Kilmer of Caldwell, Idaho.
In addition to Bonta, defendants are L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, La Verne Police Chief Colleen Flores, in their official capacities, and their respective agencies. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
“It is apparent that the defendants unilaterally decided that Bruen did not apply to them and have continued to foster policies that make the process to obtain a permit as arduous as possible,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The fees to process permit applications, delays in processing, and other requirements are grossly excessive and cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.”
“The process and costs involved seem deliberately designed to discourage people from exercising their constitutional right to bear arms,” added SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “In some cases, applicants have had to wait for a year or more to get their permit. This is simply inexcusable.”
The federal complaint alleges violations of both the U.S. Constitution and state law, and seeks an injunction from enforcing the California law and prevent the agencies from charging excessive fees. The lawsuit also seeks to require California to honor concealed carry permits and licenses issued by other states.
