US civil rights probe of Los Angeles gun permits draws criticism

Sarah N. Lynch - Reuters - 28/03
The U.S. Justice Department's launch of a civil rights probe into whether Los Angeles is taking too long to issue permits to carry a concealed handgun drew criticism on Friday from advocates who called it a sharp departure from the department's longstanding approach.
  • DOJ investigating wait times for concealed-carry permits
  • Case marks first time DOJ has used civil rights for gun law
  • Some critics say DOJ is misusing civil rights law
  • LA sheriff says understaffing contributing to long wait times
WASHINGTON, March 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department's launch of a civil rights probe into whether Los Angeles is taking too long to issue permits to carry a concealed handgun drew criticism on Friday from advocates who called it a sharp departure from the department's longstanding approach.
Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement late on Thursday said her office would launch a "pattern or practice" investigation into whether the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department imposes excessive wait times for people applying for concealed-carry permits.

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Referring to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to bear arms, Bondi said: "The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and under my watch, the Department will actively enforce the Second Amendment just like it actively enforces other fundamental constitutional rights."
Gun rights are one of the more divisive issues in the U.S. Gun rights advocates note their constitutional protection and say that gun ownership ensures personal safety, while gun control advocates say the nation's high level of firearms violence is a sign that tighter restrictions are ...
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