DOJ Launches Second Amendment Unit — Promises "A Lot More Action" to Defend Gun Rights

The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division has created a dedicated Second Amendment section, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced, promising renewed federal enforcement to protect gun rights nationwide.

New Unit Focus and Priorities

Dhillon said the unit — established this month — will bring civil-rights litigation and enforcement to bear on state and local laws and practices that she and the DOJ view as inconsistent with recent Supreme Court precedents. She highlighted concealed-carry permitting practices as an early priority.

"For the first time, the DOJ Civil Rights Division and the DOJ at large will be protecting and advancing our citizens' right to bear arms as part of our civil rights work," Dhillon said. "You're going to see a lot more action from this Department of Justice to protect your Second Amendment rights."

Targets And Rationale

Dhillon identified several recurring issues the section plans to challenge: multi-thousand-dollar fees to obtain concealed-carry permits, excessive administrative delays, and local prohibitions that may conflict with recent Supreme Court rulings. She framed access to firearms as an equalizer for groups she described as potentially more vulnerable, including women and people with disabilities.

Dhillon also referenced an executive order issued by the president two weeks into his administration that she said clarified the DOJ's priorities, and said she has been assembling the section since joining the department.

Outside Reaction

Oliver Krawczyk, an attorney who specializes in Second Amendment litigation at Ambler Law, told reporters the new section is a "welcome change" but urged the DOJ to acknowledge past shortcomings.

"For years, individuals and grassroots organizations have had to fight unconstitutional firearm regulations alone," Krawczyk said. He added that the department should both address its prior record and coordinate with pro-gun groups to press legal challenges while the current administration's term allows.

What To Watch For

Observers should expect litigation or formal enforcement actions challenging high permitting costs, long processing delays, and local bans or restrictions that officials say conflict with the Supreme Court's recent guidance on the Second Amendment.

Note: The DOJ's new Second Amendment section represents a shift in how the Civil Rights Division will approach firearm-related civil-rights claims; outcomes will depend on case selection, court rulings, and subsequent policy choices by the department.