Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Caught in Extensive Misuse of Criminal Database for Concealed Carry Checks

In a troubling revelation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD) has been found extensively misusing sensitive criminal justice databases to conduct unauthorized background checks when approving concealed carry firearm permit applications. This major breach comprised the bulk of a record 7,275 violations across California in 2023, highlighting a systemic issue within state law enforcement agencies.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) uncovered these violations through diligent public records requests, revealing that LACSD was responsible for 6,789 of these incidents. This misuse of the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) not only undermines trust in law enforcement but also infringes on the privacy rights of individuals.

“Mandatory data collection on CLETS violations and its disclosure better enables the public to understand and question how databases like CLETS are used and abused,” stated Beryl Lipton, a senior investigator at EFF, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.

The misuse of CLETS for concealed carry checks is explicitly forbidden, and such actions raise significant concerns about the potential impact on lawful gun owners seeking permits.

The data accessed during these unauthorized checks could include sensitive personal information, putting applicants at undue risk of privacy violations.

Despite some officers being retrained following these breaches, the repetitive nature of the violations suggests a deeper issue with adherence to policies designed to protect civil liberties. The state Department of Justice acknowledges the problem is widespread, with other agencies also reportedly misusing the data in similar ways.

This year alone, the actions of LACSD led to disciplinary measures including 24 officer suspensions, six resignations, and nine terminations, as reported by the EFF.

Yet, these figures represent just a fraction of the statewide actions taken against misuse, indicating a more pervasive problem that extends beyond individual departments.

As privacy advocates point out, the abuse of surveillance tools like CLETS showcases the broader risks associated with police access to extensive databases without adequate oversight. This incident underscores the urgent need for robust policies with severe penalties to ensure law enforcement uses these powerful tools responsibly and within the bounds of the law.

For gun rights supporters, these revelations are particularly alarming, as they represent potential barriers to exercising Second Amendment rights. The misuse of CLETS in this manner not only compromises individual privacy but also may unjustly affect the issuance of concealed carry permits, putting lives at risk.

The ongoing federal lawsuit by the California Rifle & Pistol Association against the LASD concerning its handling of concealed carry applications, including allegations of excessive wait times and subjective criteria, further illustrates the challenges faced by lawful gun owners in California. This case, along with the documented abuses, may provide crucial evidence for Second Amendment advocacy groups pushing for reforms in how concealed carry permits are administered.

As the fight for gun rights drags on, ensuring the integrity of law enforcement practices is paramount. The misuse of criminal databases like CLETS not only threatens individuals’ privacy and rights but also challenges the principles of justice and accountability that should define our law enforcement systems. Maybe the Trump DOJ [ @TheJusticeDept ] would be interested in digging further into these abuses.

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