Overview

• The Justice Department filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, calling it the agency’s first affirmative case brought in support of gun owners.
• Federal investigators say LASD data show only two approvals out of more than 8,000 applications reviewed between January 2024 and March 2025, with average waits of about 281 days just to begin processing.
• The complaint cites interviews scheduled as far out as late 2026, notes 2,768 new-license applications still pending as of May 8, and references roughly 1,210 withdrawals during the period.
• DOJ argues the delays violate California’s statutory timelines and contravene the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework protecting the right to carry firearms outside the home.
• LASD disputes the claims, pointing to a paper-to-digital transition, staffing shortages, and a reduced backlog, and says it has approved more than 19,000 permits since 2020, including over 5,000 in 2025.