The Justice Department Civil Rights Division has told San Jose it will file a federal lawsuit over the city’s concealed-carry license charges. On September 9, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon notified city officials of the planned action against a 1591-dollar initial fee.

Applicants must pay 318 dollars to apply and 1273 dollars more if police issue the license, plus a 93-dollar California Department of Justice charge and expenses for fingerprinting, a psychological exam, and training, for a first-time total near 2000 dollars. Nearby agencies charge much less, such as 144 dollars in San Francisco, 225 dollars to apply and 325 dollars after approval in Berkeley, 488 dollars twice in Santa Clara, and 347 dollars then 346 dollars in Alameda County.

Dhillon authorized a district-court complaint alleging the fee denies ordinary residents the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense and that San Jose police under Chief Paul Joseph unlawfully enforce the policy as a pattern of misconduct under 34 USC 12601.