DOJ Investigates Philadelphia’s Concealed Carry Permit Practices
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division has launched an investigation into how Philadelphia manages concealed carry permits, following a recent announcement. In Pennsylvania, the law stipulates that concealed carry permits must be issued to individuals who meet specific criteria.
On Tuesday, a letter from Philadelphia’s Democratic Mayor Cherrell Parker and Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, conveyed that the DOJ is looking into claims regarding the revocation of licenses. This action is part of an inquiry related to the practices of the Philadelphia Police Department under the Philadelphia Police Department Management and Police Patterns and Practices Act.
Dhillon noted that the investigation aims to evaluate the policies governing the issuance and revocation of firearms licenses, alongside the enforcement of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act of 1995. In her words, “The investigation will assess PPD’s policies and practices regarding these issues.”
Moreover, she emphasized that police should not revoke a concealed carry permit based solely on arbitrary judgments. There’s ongoing scrutiny of how the Philadelphia Police Department revokes permits from individuals legally allowed to carry firearms.
According to Dhillon, “Our investigation will focus solely on the lawful exercise of rights,” clarifying that it does not support any unlawful actions or interference with law enforcement. Meanwhile, Mayor Parker has not provided any comments in response to inquiries.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division was created recently to uphold President Trump’s directive aimed at protecting Second Amendment rights. Carson Turner, a local resident and director of legal affairs at the Second Amendment Foundation, expressed optimism about the DOJ’s investigation. He mentioned it has long been known locally that the city’s standards for revoking permits are quite lenient.
John Comerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA, also praised the DOJ’s efforts, affirming the importance of defending constitutional rights. He noted that by challenging restrictions in court, the administration is honoring its commitment to uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Last December, the Civil Rights Division took action against the Virgin Islands Police Department over its controversial practices surrounding firearms permit issuance, including stringent requirements that involved home inspections.
