In a rare win for the Second Amendment in the gun-grabber stronghold of California, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has issued a preliminary injunction that forces the state to accept concealed carry permit applications from nonresidents. Yes, you read that right—California, the state that treats lawful gun owners like criminals while coddling actual criminals, has been ordered to respect the rights of out-of-state visitors who wish to carry a firearm for self-defense.
This ruling is a major breakthrough in the ongoing battle against California’s draconian gun control policies, which seem to be designed more to appease anti-gun activists than to protect law-abiding citizens. The lawsuit, CRPA v. LASD, was led by the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) in partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Gun Owners of California, Gun Owners of America (GOA), and individual plaintiffs. The case directly challenged California’s long-standing refusal to issue concealed carry permits to nonresidents and took aim at the absurdly long wait times and exorbitant fees imposed by Los Angeles County.
Strengthening the Right to Self-Defense
Chuck Michel, CRPA president and general counsel, made it clear why this ruling matters: “This ruling reaffirms the principle that the right to self-defense doesn’t stop at state borders. California’s discriminatory refusal to issue permits to nonresidents was a clear violation of the Second Amendment, and we’re proud to stand alongside SAF and other partners to challenge it.”
The court’s injunction mandates that California must accept concealed carry permit applications from any U.S. resident who is a member of SAF, CRPA, or affiliated organizations, as long as they are not otherwise prohibited from firearm ownership. This order, issued on January 23, will take effect in 90 days, giving California plenty of time to kick and scream, file appeals, and burn through taxpayer dollars trying to cling to its unconstitutional policies.
SAF founder and executive vice president Alan Gottlieb summed it up perfectly: “The judge ruled that as a SAF member, your right to carry a firearm for self-defense doesn’t stop at the California border just because you are a resident of another state. This is just one more benefit of being a SAF member.”
Bill Sack, SAF Director of Legal Operations, went even further: “It’s common sense that your fundamental right to bear arms does not evaporate when you leave your home state. We’re committed to dragging states like California kicking and screaming into alignment with the demands of the Constitution.”
A Milestone for the Pro-Gun Community
This lawsuit, filed in December 2023 with a motion for preliminary injunction in January 2024, demonstrates the power of multiple gun rights organizations working together to protect and expand Second Amendment rights. It also showcases the growing strength of the pro-gun movement in pushing back against unconstitutional restrictions nationwide.
“This is a step forward for restoring and protecting the right to bear arms in California,” Michel added. “The CRPA has long fought against California’s unconstitutional restrictions, and this decision ensures that peaceable gun owners from other states can now exercise their Second Amendment rights while in California.”
Let’s be honest—California has never been friendly to gun owners. This is a state where criminals are let off with a slap on the wrist while law-abiding citizens who dare to carry a firearm for self-defense are treated like public enemies. The sheer hypocrisy is infuriating. The same politicians who demand armed security for themselves have worked tirelessly to strip away your right to self-defense. This ruling is a much-needed slap in the face to that hypocrisy.
California’s War on the Second Amendment
For years, California has been ground zero for unconstitutional gun control policies. Whether it’s the “assault weapon” bans, magazine capacity restrictions, or burdensome concealed carry requirements, the state has made it clear that it has no respect for the Constitution. But here’s the thing about rights—they don’t disappear just because California bureaucrats want them to.
With this ruling, nonresidents will no longer be forced to navigate a labyrinth of anti-gun red tape just to exercise their right to self-defense while in the state. Of course, this is California we’re talking about, so expect an appeal, plenty of political grandstanding, and more taxpayer money wasted fighting against your rights.
What This Means for Gun Owners Nationwide
This ruling has major implications beyond California. If a state like California, which has long been hostile to the Second Amendment, is forced to recognize nonresident concealed carry permits, what’s stopping this momentum from spreading nationwide? Other anti-gun states should be paying close attention because their unconstitutional policies could be next on the chopping block.
The reality is simple: the Second Amendment doesn’t stop at state lines. The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right, not a privilege that can be revoked at the whim of anti-gun politicians. The fact that it took a federal court order to force California to recognize this is both infuriating and unsurprising.
What Comes Next?
With the ruling set to take effect in 90 days, the clock is ticking for California’s anti-gun establishment. Will they comply, or will they dig in their heels and continue to fight against the Constitution? If history is any indicator, they’ll do everything in their power to delay, obstruct, and undermine this ruling.
But make no mistake—this is a win, and it’s one that should be celebrated. It’s proof that when gun owners stand together, we can push back against overreaching government policies and restore our rights.
Join the Fight
If you’re not already a member of organizations like SAF, CRPA, or GOA, now is the time to join. These groups are on the front lines of the fight for your Second Amendment rights, and their work is making a real difference. Every victory like this one is a step toward reclaiming our rights from those who would rather see us disarmed and defenseless.
This ruling is a reminder that the fight for the Second Amendment isn’t just about winning cases—it’s about defending our fundamental freedoms against those who want to take them away. The battle isn’t over, but with victories like this, we’re proving that we will not back down.
So, to the anti-gun politicians in California: the Constitution still applies, whether you like it or not.