The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump sued San Jose, California, on Wednesday over a $1,591 concealed carry license fee. The complaint argues the charge fails the 2022 Bruen standard because it has no real place in the nation’s historical gun rules.
The department says the fee’s purpose is to make the right to bear arms impractical for middle class residents and impossible for low income residents. It also says a similar payment would never be required to speak, worship, or publish.
Civil rights assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon told KRON4 that people who obey the law may carry guns for self defense, that the right is not limited to the wealthy, and that a fee many times a typical firearm’s price unlawfully blocks that freedom.