U.S. Department of Justice sues San Jose over gun permit fees

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Jose, California, alleging that its concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit fees violate the Second Amendment. The DOJ claims the fees, which reach nearly $1,600, are so high that they effectively deny lower-income residents their constitutional right to bear arms for self-defense.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that the right to carry arms is “not a luxury reserved for a privileged few.” The lawsuit follows a period in which the DOJ offered San Jose officials, including Mayor Matt Mahan and Police Chief Paul Joseph, the opportunity to resolve the matter without litigation.

The legal action follows recent Supreme Court precedents regarding permitting schemes and mirrors other recent DOJ actions, such as a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Maryland, concerning firearm restrictions near public locations.