The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Monday against a California city that charges over $1,000 to apply for a concealed carry permit.
The city of Glendale, California, announced on its website it would charge $1,078 for an initial application for a concealed carry permit, which would come in addition to fees for fingerprinting, a training course and a psychological evaluation. In its complaint, the DOJ noted that the total expenses for an applicant went beyond just what the city charged.
“When all of the fees and costs are aggregated, the total cost of obtaining an initial CCW application is approximately $2,000,” the DOJ said in its complaint. “This amount does not include additional provider ‘Rolling Fees’ for fingerprinting. The total cost for a renewal application is approximately $1,300. Renewed licenses in Glendale are valid for only two years. Thus, the approximately $1,300 fee must be paid every two years indefinitely.”
“This amount does not include additional provider ‘Rolling Fees’ for fingerprinting or the fees associated with the Live Scan requirement effective September 1, 2026,” DOJ continued. “It also assumes the Glendale PD does not compel the renewal CCW Applicant to submit to a psychological evaluation under California Penal Code § 26190 (e)(2). Additional fees apply for such an evaluation. In other words, Glendale charges its residents approximately $54.17 per month to exercise a fundamental constitutional right. In contrast, the Supreme Court held unconstitutional a payment of $1.50 to vote.”
DOJ officials argued that the fees were “unreasonable” and a violation of residents’ Second Amendment rights.
“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting law abiding citizens’ right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment,” said acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Jesus Osete. “The City of Glendale cannot impose unreasonable fees and unbridled discretion that undermines that core constitutional right.”
DOJ sent a letter to Glendale on Oct. 28, indicating a willingness to resolve the concerns about the fees without litigation.
“Glendale’s law enforcement officers are required to enforce this abusive licensing scheme, and they are doing so,” then-Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon wrote. “This letter is to inform you that as the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, I have authorized the filing of a complaint in federal district court against the City.”
“The complaint will allege that the City’s abusive CCW application scheme denies ordinary citizens their Second Amendment right to public carry, and Glendale Police Department’s implementation of the City’s abusive police is a pattern or practice of law enforcement misconduct that is unlawful,” Dhillon continued.
The Daily Caller News Foundation confirmed the prices listed on the website, as well as estimates for the psychological evaluation, fingerprinting and the training course, which comes to at least $2,106. The city of Glendale did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
Associate Justice Clarence noted in a footnote of the opinion he wrote in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen that even “shall issue” laws regarding concealed carry permits could fall under scrutiny. “[B]ecause any permitting scheme can be put toward abusive ends, we do not rule out constitutional challenges to shall-issue regimes where, for example, lengthy wait times in processing license applications or exorbitant fees deny ordinary citizens their right to public carry,” Thomas wrote.
(DCNF)