LAPD Facing Litigation for Suspending Concealed Carry Weapon Permits

When Guy F. applied for a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) told him they are not accepting applications due to a systems update.

“They did not have a completion date available,” Guy told The Epoch Times.

The San Pedro resident declined to disclose his real name because he is fearful the information will be used against him.

“I need to be anonymous in this because if my name’s attached to it, they will for sure figure out some way to reject me when they finally do accept applications,” he said.

The LAPD has temporarily suspended the application process for concealed carry permits while it evaluates the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in N.Y. State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.

“The direction from the chief of police is that we wait for guidance from the city attorney’s office as to the development of appropriate CCW guidelines before we start issuing the licenses,” said Norma Eisenman, LAPD media relations officer.

In Bruen, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated good or proper cause requirements in concealed carry gun permitting with Justice Clarence Thomas explaining that permit regimes which do not require applicants to show an atypical need for armed self-defense are acceptable.

“The area providing the most concern is developing a standard for what constitutes good moral character in terms of ensuring fairness and equity to all of the CCW’s applicants in the process,” Eisenman told The Epoch Times.

However, the National Rifle Association (NRA) position is that Los Angeles city officials need to come to grips with the recognition in the Bruen decision of the right to self-defense outside the home.

“Suspending the concealed carry application process puts the law-abiding in an untenable situation with limited legal avenues to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Dan Reid, NRA