Justice Department Investigates Firearm License Delays in Pennsauken, NJ

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into Pennsauken, New Jersey, to determine whether the township is infringing on citizens' Second Amendment rights through delays in issuing firearm licenses. The investigation, announced on October 14, 2026, focuses on the permitting system managed by the Pennsauken Township Police.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated that the investigation is part of an effort to "defend law-abiding citizens from local authorities who infringe on the right to safely carry legal firearms." The investigation seeks to uncover whether the alleged delays in the firearm permitting process are unconstitutional and, if confirmed, to address the issue.

The Justice Department's inquiry is grounded in the principles established by the Supreme Court in the 2022 case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n, Inc. v. Bruen. The ruling emphasized that lengthy wait times and exorbitant fees in the permitting process could effectively deny citizens their right to public carry, thereby violating the Second Amendment.

According to the Justice Department, it is alleged that Pennsauken's permitting process is being used to improperly limit Second Amendment rights. The investigation aims to determine if the township's practices constitute "abusive ends" as described by the Supreme Court, which could potentially deprive citizens of their constitutional rights.

The Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section is responsible for enforcing the Second Amendment. The Justice Department encourages individuals who believe their right to keep and bear arms is being infringed to submit a complaint through their official website.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further details about the timeline or potential outcomes have been provided at this stage.