OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CALIFORHIA
HALL OF JUSTICE
ALEX VILLANUEVA, SHERIFF
July 7, 2022
Gene Harris, President
Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association
Chief of Police, San Gabriel Police Department
625 South Del Mar Avenue
San Gabriel, California 91776
Dear Chief Harris:
NEW YORK STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION, INC., ET AL. V. BRUEN, SUPERINTENDENT OF NEW YORK STATE POLICE, ET AL.
On April 14, 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) allowed residents of Los Angeles County to submit their Conceal Carry Weapon (CCW) application directly to LASD Headquarters or any Sheriff's Station without first requiring them to apply with the chief of police of their city of residence and the receipt of a denial letter.
On June 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled in the above-titled matter that "New York's proper-cause requirement violates the Fourteenth Amendment in that it prevents law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms." California similarly requires CCW applicants to show "good cause," and this decision likely renders it unconstitutional. Consequently, the LASD expects a significant increase in the submission of CCW applications by Los Angeles County (County) residents.
Although the LASD can process CCW applications, as currently staffed, there will be significant delays because we do not have sufficient personnel required for the anticipated surge. As such, any unnecessary delays would violate the SCOTUS decision, thus violating the rights of the citizens of Los Angeles County and opening the LASD and other law enforcement agencies to otherwise avoidable litigation.
RECEIVED
JUL 1 1 2022
211 WEST TEMPLE STREET, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012
A Tradition of Service SAN GABRIEL PD ADMINISTRATION
~ Since 1850
Chief Harris -2- July 7, 2022
Therefore, to comply with the SCOTUS decision in good faith, we request law enforcement agencies throughout the County to provide staffing to the LASD CCW Unit to assist with the processing of CCW applications up to and including the denial of or issuance of licenses. Otherwise, effective August 1, 2022, the LASD WI on accept first-time cow applications from those who reside within our contract cities or unincorporated communities and encourage applicants residing in a municipality other than those served by the LASD to contact their local police chief and apply for a CCW license.
All first-time CCW applications submitted, received, or postmarked before the indicated date; the LASD will accept and continue to process.
I look forward to working with all law enforcement agencies throughout the County and promptly processing CCW applications of our residents.
If your agency requires assistance, information, or training regarding the CCW application process or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my aide, Lieutenant Michael Shaw at (213) 229-3079.
Sincerely,
ALEX VILLANUEVA, SHERIFF
MURAKAMI
UNDERSHERIFF