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…
Two Men Arrested In International Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy Wednesday, December 10, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Tyler Corbin (25, Tampa), Edward Noel (26, Canada), Alfredo Santana (32, Miami), Omar Singateth (24, Canada), and Arif Jhuman (39, Canada) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking in firearms, and dealing firearms with a license. The indictment also charges Corbin with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The indictment was unsealed following the recent arrests of Corbin and Santana. According to the indictment and court hearings, these individuals trafficked, and conspired to traffic, more than 100 firearms from Florida to Canada in 2023 and 2024. Of those firearms, 29 were recovered from Canadian crime scenes, including homicides. One firearm purchased by Corbin was recovered at the scene of a homicide 32 days after Corbin had purchased the firearm. None of these defendants are licensed to deal firearms. These arrests were the result of joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations Miami Field Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Updated December 10, 2025
TALLAHASSEE MAN 21 YEARS OLD SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR CONVERTED GLOCK MACHINEGUNS Friday, December 12, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Anthony Lamorris Davis, Jr., 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession of a machinegun. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners work hard every day to keep our communities safe from violent criminals like this defendant, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with successful prosecutions. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and crime-free communities, and that is exactly what my office intends to achieve.” Court documents reflect that on both July 21, 2024, and October 25, 2024, officers of the Tallahassee Police Department caught the defendant in possession of a Glock firearm that had been converted into a machinegun. Davis has five prior felony convictions, including two convictions for aggravated assault with a firearm. The defendant’s prison sentence will be followed by four years of supervised release. “Taking illegal guns out of the hands of convicted felons is essential to making our streets safer. This arrest is another example of the unwavering dedication our officers show in confronting gun violence and reducing the harm it causes in our community,” said Chief Revell. “I am grateful for their commitment to this work and the determination they bring to every investigation. We will continue doing everything we can to reduce gun violence and keep our community safe.” The case involved an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html. Contact United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Florida USAFLN.Press.Office@usdoj.gov X: @USAO_NDFL Updated December 12, 2025
Are Glock switches illegal? Gregg Kielma Thoughts from a reader of my blog, Ken B. Let's Take a LOOK. Yes, and why the hell would you WANT ONE???? At a recent event, I tried a fully automatic Glock. Guns were free to rent, but bullets cost $1–$5 each—so firing 50 rounds could be $50 or more, payable by cash or credit. The staff warned me that the fully automatic Glock fired 1200 rounds per minute and recommended a slower gun, but I tried it anyway. As he said, the ammo vanished quickly—even a brief trigger pull fired about 10 shots, making it difficult to avoid emptying the magazine instantly. Even if I was a member of a violent gang and wanted to shoot up a house, I wouldn't use a fully automatic Glock. The bullets just fly out of the gun TOO FAST to hit what you want to shoot. My daughter and I tried several fully automatic guns, spending quite a bit, but we really enjoyed it. Her favorite was a suppressed Uzi, which she shot three times. Although she didn't like guns before, the experience changed her view; now she wants a semi-automatic Glock 9mm so we can visit the pistol range together monthly. Now do I wanna go through the extreme hassle and expense of buying my own fully automatic gun — hell no. Ammo is just too expensive to use it up that fast. One hole in the target per trigger pull is plenty fun enough. If I ever need to shoot in self-defense, I must control every bullet I fire.
Former ATF Agent and Official Everytown's: Marianna Mitchem Former ATF Official Now at Everytown Pushes States to Go After Gun Dealers Scott Witner Says Gregg Kielma, as an FFL I'm concerned with the proposed restrictions and the possible laws that may hinder my business and or shut me down. Continues Kielma . I'll have more on this, this weekend. Please TAKE A LOOK at Scott Witner article, its extremely concerning.....for all of us. If you ever wondered what happens when a career ATF bureaucrat lands a soft seat at Everytown, here’s your answer. Marianna Mitchem left ATF in May 2025 and almost immediately surfaced at Everytown for Gun Safety . And she didn’t waste time easing into the role. According to one former ATF colleague, she reached out after leaving and tried to figure out how to target Glock and Glock-style pistols. That alone tells you what direction she was heading. Mitchem just helped roll out a long report titled The Supply Side of Violence How Gun Dealers Fuel Firearm Trafficking. It reads like someone trying to win an award for excess verbiage. The message, though, is simple. The report blames gun dealers for criminal violence and treats FFLs as the core problem rather than the criminals pulling the triggers. Her coauthors, Nick Suplina and Chelsea Parsons, both come from the New York Attorney General’s Office and now sit comfortably at Everytown . Together, the trio spent ample time taking shots at President Donald Trump’s support for gun rights while painting the ATF under President Joe Biden as a model crime-fighting operation. What doesn’t appear anywhere in their narrative are the ATF’s own high-profile failures under Biden, including the killing of Bryan Malinowski and the fabricated case that left Patrick Tate Adamiak serving 20 years on false charges. Those facts don’t fit the script, so they’re ignored. Instead, the authors offer a long list of heavy-handed state requirements that would eliminate most gun dealers. They call it filling a federal void. In reality, it reads like a roadmap to wiping out the retail gun market. Here is their wish list straight from the report: • State licensing stacked on top of federal FFL requirements • Extensive physical security mandates for every shop • Yearly background checks and trafficking training for all employees • Constant state or local inspections • Mandatory reporting of all gun sales plus complete electronic access to dealer records • Automatic suspensions and revocations for a wide range of infractions • Forced handouts on storage suicide and so-called risks of gun ownership • Civil liability if a firearm from a dealer is ever misused • Annual trace-data reporting targeting dealers by name Anyone who’s spent time in a gun shop or on a firing line can see what this really is. None of this stops criminals. It stops dealers. If you can’t ban guns directly, make it impossible for lawful sellers to stay in business.
Tactical K Training and Firearms Gregg Kielma If you are a U.S. Citizen and you own a gun, then the Florida Weapons Permit is the one you want to obtain. This permit is a favorite of military and law enforcement personnel across the country. Exercise your Second Amendment right! Be Safe! Be Prepared! Be Protected! • Who can apply for the Florida CCW Anyone US Citizen 21 or older can apply for the FL Weapons Permit. ** Active Duty U.S. Military can apply at 18 Years of Age • Do you have to live in Florida to apply for a Florida Weapons Permit NO, anyone living in the United States can apply. You must be a U.S. citizen OR legal resident alien residing in the United States OR Active Duty Military residing abroad. Florida Concealed Weapon License License to carry concealed weapons or firearm in the state of Florida. Concealed Carry or Carrying a Concealed Weapon – commonly called (CCW), is the practice of carrying a weapon (such as a handgun, electronic weapon or device, knife, or billie club) in public in a concealed manner. You have questions? We have Answers! • How long does it take to get a FL CCW Permit On average it takes 50 – 55 days from when the FDACS receives your application, but it could take up to 90 days, due to high volume if this highly sought-after permit. • Who issues the Florida Weapons Permit (FL CCW) The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the issuing agency. Contact the FDACS here: (850) 245-5691 • Can I transfer my current permit or license to carry from another State to FL No, licenses are not transferable between States. • Do I have to take a class You must provide a training certificate to apply for the FL Weapons Permit – it can not be an old or previous one. Here are some of the qualifying training courses: o Any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a similar agency in another state o Any USCCA or NRA firearms safety or training course o Any firearms safety or training course or class available to the public offered by the USCCA or NRA. (There are others) o Any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security officers, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement o Any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified instructor (Gregg Kielma) or by an instructor certified by the USCCA or National Rifle Association o Documentary evidence of experience with a firearm obtained through participation in organized shooting competition o Active-duty military personnel may submit copies of any of the following documents that confirm your experience with a firearm gained during service: military orders including call to active-duty letter; a statement of military service signed by, or at the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and provides your date of entry for your current active-duty period o Former military personnel can submit a DD Form 214 reflecting honorable discharge from military service Trust this helps answer some of your question!
26-year-old Bradenton Florida Felon: Exzavion Richardson 9-time convicted felon opens fire on man, woman outside Florida home; he allegedly was after money owed to him From The Blaze December 09, 2025 'Lock up the judges that released him as accomplices to the crime.' A convicted felon opened fire on a man and woman outside a Florida home early Sunday morning, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies responded around 2:15 a.m. to a report of two people who had been shot in the 3100 block of 11th Street Court East in Bradenton, officials said. 'The title of this video is exactly what is wrong with our country: "9-time convicted felon." There should’ve never been a second time.' When deputies arrived, they found a 32-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her face and a 41-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his chest, officials said. Both victims were taken to a hospital, officials said. The woman was later listed in stable condition, and the man's injury was determined to be minor, officials said, adding that he has since been released. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter An investigation identified the suspect as 26-year-old Exzavion Richardson, officials said, adding that he was located in a vehicle several blocks away and detained during a traffic stop. Multiple witnesses positively identified Richardson as the man who came to the residence looking for someone he claimed owed him money, officials said. Witnesses reported that Richardson shot the male victim and then shot the female victim who also was standing outside the residence, officials said. Richardson is charged with two counts of attempted murder, home invasion robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, officials said. Jail records indicate he's being held with no bond. As for his criminal history, court records indicate Richardson has at least two battery convictions and multiple convictions for lewd and lascivious behavior, WFLA-TV reported. Jail records indicate Richardson stands 6'3'' and weighs 205 pounds. Commenters under WFLA's video report about the shooting were not happy the suspect was back on the streets after so many run-ins with the law: • "Lock up the judges that released him as accomplices to the crime," one commenter wrote. • "The title of this video is exactly what is wrong with our country: '9-time convicted felon.' There should’ve never been a second time," another commenter noted. • "Where's Vlad the Impaler when you need him," another commenter wondered. • "Only nine times; that's practically a clean record," another commenter stated sarcastically. "I mean, he didn't kill the woman — just shot her in the face. Give him probation. 10th time is a charm, right[?] He will change smh." • "This dude either has a huge growth on his 4head or someone hit a Grand Slam on it," another commenter observed. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Asto "Nut" Mark Kelley So, That’s Why ‘Seditious’ U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly Wants So Badly To Ban Firearm Ownership Mark Chesnut - December 5, 2025 Mark Kelly video accused of seditious message What does it take to overturn a country? First, take away guns from citizens, especially those who might have a favorable view of the country’s current leadership. Next, turn the country’s military against its leadership. Accomplish those two things, and the stage is set. Of course, that’s greatly simplified, but you get the picture. Which brings us to U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, and explains why he has worked so hard over the past several decades to try to ban civilian gun ownership—especially of so-called “military-grade” firearms. Sen. Kelly and five associates have been in the news recently for an advertisement suggesting that military members disobey their orders. YES you read that right. Mark Kelly is a seditious member of the democratic Senate. He needs to go NOW! “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” Sen. Kelly and his cronies say in the video. “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. Refuse illegal orders.” Aside from putting rank-and-file service members in a delicate situation with their suggestion, many saw the advertisement as a call for insurrection. President Donald Trump even called the video “seditious behavior.”
U.S. Minnesota Representative "Somalian" Ilhan Omar Rep. Omar Calls For Federal Gun ‘Buyback’ Mark Chesnut - I’m a big fan of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Somali congresswoman who always speaks her mind. Of course, I’m not a fan because I like her politics. But I do like the fact that nearly every time she speaks out in public, it serves as a warning for freedom-loving Americans that a true threat exists within our own federal lawmaking body. Such was the case recently when Rep. Omar was caught on camera weighing in on a critical issue that many of us haven’t thought about for a while. In a video reposted on the Texas Gun Rights X page, Rep. Omar enthusiastically shared her views on registration and what always follows registration—confiscation. “We have more guns in this country than we have humans,” she said in the video. “So, one of the things that is going to be important is to create a registry so we know where the guns are. We know when they go into the wrong hands when they’re stolen. And we can actually start a buyback program. I know that some of the Minnesota legislators have had that legislation, and that’s something that we should be thinking about on a federal level.” It’s interesting that Rep. Omar would mention a “gun buyback” in the same breath as gun registration. Pro-gun advocates have warned for years that registration always leads to confiscation wherever it has been tried. Thus, anti-gun Democrats have avoided lumping the topics together. As we’ve chronicled a number of times on TTAG, there are numerous other problems with gun “buybacks” besides the elephant in the room—eventual confiscation. First, they can’t be “buybacks” because the government never owned the firearms they are confiscating through compensation.
National Concealed Carry Reciprocity: What Gun Owners Need to Know Scott Witner - December 3, 2025 Congress may soon vote on national concealed carry reciprocity. If passed, the law would require all states to recognize carry permits and, in some cases, permitless carry from every other state. Here’s what that means under the current legal landscape. How Reciprocity Works Today “Concealed carry reciprocity” refers to whether one state recognizes carry permits issued by another. The rules vary widely: • Some states recognize permits from every state. • Others only recognize permits from states with similar requirements, such as fingerprinting, background checks, age limits, or live-fire qualifications. • At least 10 states, including California, New York, and Oregon, refuse to honor any out-of-state permits. Most reciprocity is not mutual. A state may choose to honor permits from another state without that state honoring theirs. Permitless Carry and Its Limits Twenty-nine states now allow permitless carry for both residents and visitors. In those states, no permit is required to carry concealed as long as the carrier is not legally prohibited from possessing firearms. But permitless carry does not transfer to states that require a license. A resident of a permitless state who wants to carry in a permit-required state must still obtain a valid permit issued by their home state. This is why most permitless-carry states still issue permits; gun owners need them for travel. Do Weaker Laws Affect Stronger States? Concerns about a “race to the bottom” misunderstand how state criminal law works. If you are carrying in a particular state, that state’s laws apply, regardless of your home state: • If Michigan bans carry in bars, churches, daycares, and stadiums, then everyone carrying in Michigan, including permit holders from Louisiana, must follow Michigan’s rules. • A permit only grants recognition of the license itself, not permission to ignore local restrictions. Firearm acquisition, however, is governed by the buyer’s home state. For example, a Louisiana resident who legally purchased a firearm through a private sale without a background check may travel with it to Michigan, even if Michigan requires checks for its residents. That firearm was acquired under Louisiana law, not Michigan law. What a Federal Reciprocity Law Would Do Several bills in Congress, including the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, would require states to recognize any individual who is licensed or otherwise “entitled” to carry in their home state.
Do gun owners seriously believe that hearing a prowler at home can be responded to by opening a locked safe, loading an empty pistol or rifle in the dark, etc.? From an avid reader of my blog. You see that? (above) That’s an M1911-A1. Fully loaded. Round in the chamber. Cocked hammer. It has 2 safeties. 1 normal. 1 on the grip. It sits in a holster that is bolted to my nightstand. Do you think I’m going to have an issue responding to a threat in the middle of the night? The only time this firearm is not in the holster on my nightstand is when my Grandkids are over. Then it’s in a biometric safe. Other than that, I’d say it’s a safe bet that I wouldn’t have any issues. On a side note: an unloaded firearm is as useless as a paperweight. The paperweight is probably more useful.
