By Chris McNutt

In a surprising yet welcome move, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a new civil rights initiative aimed squarely at reviewing state and local gun control laws that may infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

This marks a rare and significant federal acknowledgment that the Second Amendment deserves the same civil rights scrutiny as other constitutional protections.

The initiative, housed within the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, begins with an investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department over delays and administrative barriers in processing concealed carry permits.

A recent federal court ruling condemned the department’s lengthy 18-month wait times for applicants, stating the law and facts were “clearly in favor” of those seeking to lawfully exercise their right to carry.

But the DOJ’s announcement indicates this is just the beginning.

“For too long, states like California, New York, and New Jersey have treated the Second Amendment as optional—something they can ignore, restrict, or smother with bureaucracy,” said a senior DOJ official familiar with the new initiative. “That ends now.”

While this move might shock progressives used to a federal government aligned with gun control interests, it is a logical conclusion of recent Supreme Court rulings, including Bruen (2022), which reaffirmed the Second Amendment as a fundamental individual right.

If the right to keep and bear arms is truly equal to the right to vote or free speech, then it must be protected with equal vigilance.

Historically, civil rights enforcement has focused on racial discrimination, voting rights, and religious freedom. Yet one of the most frequently violated rights in modern America is the right to armed self-defense, particularly in urban jurisdictions where permitting schemes act as de facto bans.

In states with “may-issue” laws or onerous licensing requirements, the average citizen—particularly those in lower-income neighborhoods—is left disarmed while criminals operate freely.

“Gun control has always had a disparate impact,” I’ve argued for years. “It disarms the poor, the vulnerable, and minorities in high-crime areas who need self-defense the most.”

Now, the DOJ appears to agree.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated in the department’s release: “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and under my watch, the Department will actively enforce it just like it enforces other fundamental constitutional rights.”

This new approach could have sweeping consequences.

States and cities that have piled up layers of red tape—from excessive fees to “good cause” requirements—may soon find themselves under federal scrutiny. Some could face lawsuits if they continue to deny permits or enforce laws that burden lawful gun ownership without constitutional justification.

Yet, while this DOJ action is commendable, it’s still only a start.

The real solution lies in legislation. Congress must move to repeal outdated and discriminatory federal gun laws such as the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968—laws with roots in political fear and racial bias.

Without such reforms, even a merged ATF may continue to infringe on rights under a different name.

Until then, the DOJ’s new posture signals a long-overdue recognition: civil rights don’t stop at the Second Amendment.