Department of Justice Sues San Jose Over Allegedly Unconstitutional $1,600 Firearm Permit Fee
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Jose, California, and its Police Department, alleging that the city's nearly $1,600 fee for a firearm carry license is unconstitutional. The DOJ contends that this exorbitant fee violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm for self-defense. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that the right to bear arms is not a luxury and that a fee several times higher than the cost of the firearm itself is illogical and an unconstitutional impediment. The lawsuit highlights that San Jose's fee is the highest in the nation, significantly surpassing those charged by other major U.S. cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago. The Civil Rights Division's Second Amendment Section is responsible for enforcing the Second Amendment and encourages individuals who believe their rights have been infringed upon to submit a complaint.
