Gregory Kielma • April 13, 2025
DOJ Investigating L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Over CCW Wait Times
DOJ Investigating L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Over CCW Wait Times
Darwin Nercesian
The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has launched an investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to determine whether the agency violates American’s gun rights via excessive fees and wait times throughout its concealed carry permitting process. The investigation, aimed at defending Californians from alleged abuse of their Second Amendment rights, was announced on Thursday, March 27, as part of an initiative sparked by President Trump’s Executive Order directing Bondi to review Second Amendment laws and infringements across the nation.
In bringing this investigation to light, the DOJ cites a legal challenge to the permitting process in which plaintiffs faced an 18-month delay in receiving concealed carry licenses from the Sheriff’s Department. Referring to California as a “particularly egregious offender” concerning its irreverence and open defiance of the United States Supreme Court’s pro-Second Amendment rulings, including the state’s newly adopted anti-gun legislation further restricting the right to bear arms, the DOJ believes there is likely to be additional cases in which Californians are “experiencing similarly long delays that are unduly burdening, or effectively denying, the Second Amendment rights of the people of Los Angeles.”
“This Department of Justice will not stand idly by while States and localities infringe on the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans… 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,” Bondi said in a statement about the investigation.
Meanwhile, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department issued its own statement on Thursday amounting to not much more than “I didn’t do anything.”
“We are committed to processing all Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) applications in compliance with state and local laws to promote responsible gun ownership… The Department is facing a significant staffing crisis, with only 14 personnel in our CCW Unit, yet we have successfully approved 15,000 CCW applications. Currently, we are diligently working through approximately 4,000 active cases, striving to meet this unfunded mandate,” according to a statement from the department.
Hogwash. Let’s put this into perspective. California is one of those hammer-and-sickle states that places a waiting time between purchasing and taking possession of a firearm, regardless of instant background check approval. That waiting time is ten days. So, let’s just say a criminal decides to go through the process rather than simply buying their firearm from the back of a van on 8th and Alverado. Then, let’s say he decides he’s going to carry that gun concealed to commit a violent crime when he reaches his destination. Are we really that delusional to think he is going to apply for a permit to transport the gun to his intended target?
He already has the firearm, and how much permission do you think he’ll apply for before taking an innocent life? The answer is none. If an instant NICS check is enough to turn over possession of a firearm, there is no excuse for a burdensome process that takes 18 months to determine whether that individual has the right to carry it. In fact, there is no excuse for a permitting process that takes longer than the background check itself.
I’d categorize training as a necessity to defend life effectively with lethal force, but that’s not where the months are spent. If the Sheriff’s Department’s claims are correct, the state’s processing requirements are too burdensome and arbitrarily time-consuming, unduly depriving the Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of self-preservation. That is not the citizen’s fault and must not be the individual’s responsibility to wait, but the state’s burden to speed up the process. There was once an idea that the government existed first to defend its people’s liberty. I’m not sure when that changed to government knows best, and what you need are fewer rights.
Speaking of the types of people driving such an ugly transition to authoritarianism, Jacob Charles, associate professor at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and self-proclaimed expert on the Second Amendment, says he has not seen this type of DOJ probe before, classified as a pattern-or-practice investigation and typically focused on police misconduct. Charles, another leftist who has lost any grasp of history, reality, and the Constitution, instead blames the Trump administration, calling the investigation “another culture war issue pitting red versus blue” while completely dismissing the daily attacks conservatives and gun owners face from the left.
“This must be seen in the context of Trump attacking law firms, universities, and cities, counties and states who don’t profess fealty to him personally and to his vision… He’s not even pretending to be a president for all of America,” Charles said, likely with a straight face earned only through years of mainlining delusion.
Another self-proclaimed expert on the Second Amendment, University of Chicago law professor Darrell A.H. Miller, claims the investigation is a reversal for Republicans, who have previously spoken out against other pattern-and-practice investigations into problematic police departments conducted by civil rights attorneys at the DOJ.
“Republicans in particular extolled a lot of belief in local control and states’ rights,” but for the 2nd Amendment, “those priorities get reversed,”
Stop conflating issues, you petulant dolt. Conservatives may not have been fans of idiotic attempts to create classes of people protected from the consequences of their actions, nor are we fans of defunding the police or kowtowing to angry mobs who demand every police action against a member of their community is driven by racism. Additionally, the issue of the Second Amendment is not one of “states’ rights,” no matter how much you want to cry about it. It is a Constitutionally protected right at the federal level, which grants no right to subversion by the state.
Chuck Michel, the president of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, welcomed the investigation and took a pat on the back, telling The Times he believes it comes as a result of his group’s lawsuit challenging the matter. He also opined against violations in jurisdictions outside of Los Angeles County, as excessive fees and waiting times indicate a pattern of behavior and a strategy rather than an isolated case of understaffing.
“I think the reason the DOJ is getting involved in this jurisdiction is because of the things we uncovered in this lawsuit… The primary issues that we are now facing from somewhat recalcitrant jurisdictions is excessive fees to go through an application process and excessive wait times to try to get a license — and wait times that exceed the state 120-day limit, some going out to 18 months or two years,” Michel said.
Bondi says she hopes the announcement will encourage other localities to “voluntarily embrace their duty to protect Second Amendment rights” but warns that if it isn’t the case, this investigation will be one of many that could spread nationwide.
Although the Supreme Court has suggested that “onerous” gun-permitting processes may be beyond the scope of Constitutionality, they have successfully kicked that can down the road for future taxpayer-funded litigation, as they do, by not delineating the amount of time or a prohibitive level of expense that should be adhered to. Well, perhaps the ATF should issue a rule. They are the regulatory body under the DOJ, and they seem to have had no qualms issuing them in the past under penalty of imprisonment against American citizens. Pam, if you’re listening…
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
