Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reduces Delays for Concealed Carry Permits Following DOJ Lawsuit

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has reduced delays in processing concealed carry permit applications after a lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that thousands of applications were left unresolved, with some applicants waiting nearly three years. The DOJ announced on August 17, 2026, that it has concluded its lawsuit against LASD, noting that the department is now meeting California's permitting deadlines due to the addition of personnel and new processing software. Previously, applicants were waiting an average of over nine months for decisions on their permits. The DOJ's lawsuit, filed in September 2025, was the first of its kind aimed at supporting gun owners' rights. The investigation began in March 2025 after numerous complaints regarding the handling of concealed carry applications. The DOJ reported that between January 2024 and March 2025, LASD received 3,982 applications but had approved only two by May 2025, with 2,768 applications still pending. California law mandates that licensing authorities provide an initial approval or denial within 90 days. The settlement requires LASD to maintain procedures that ensure applications are processed efficiently and without unnecessary delays.