The Justice Department has launched an investigation into Philadelphia’s handling of concealed carry permits, continuing the Trump administration’s effort to expand federal protection of Second Amendment rights.
Read more China’s Industrial Policy: Ambition, Inefficiency, and a Cautionary Tale for America
The inquiry was announced Tuesday by the Second Amendment Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, which said it is examining allegations involving the Philadelphia Police Department’s issuance and revocation of licenses to carry firearms.
Pennsylvania is a “shall issue” state, meaning authorities are generally required to issue concealed carry permits to applicants who meet statutory requirements.
In a letter sent to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the department would investigate whether the city’s practices comply with state law and constitutional protections.
“The investigation will evaluate the PPD’s policies and practices regarding issuance and revocation of licenses to carry firearms and the PPD’s enforcement of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act of 1995,” Dhillon wrote.
According to the Justice Department, the investigation is being conducted under the Police Pattern or Practice Act (PPD.)
Read more Movie Review: ‘Obsession’
Dhillon said federal officials will examine the department’s actions under both the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
“Our investigation will focus on the lawful exercise of rights only; this investigation does not support or condone any armed criminal activity or criminal obstruction of federal or local law enforcement.”
Dhillon also criticized what she described as arbitrary permit revocations.
“The police can’t revoke a concealed carry permit based on arbitrary decisions of licensing officials. Today, I directed @CivilRights’ 2A Section to investigate the Philadelphia Police Department’s practice of revoking the CCWs of those lawfully carrying firearms in public,” she said in a post on X.
The police can’t revoke a concealed carry permit based on arbitrary decisions of licensing officials. Today, I directed @CivilRights‘ 2A Section to investigate the Philadelphia Police Department’s practice of revoking the CCWs of those lawfully carrying firearms in public.…
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 9, 2026
The Justice Department’s Second Amendment Section was created on Dec. 4, 2025, following President Donald Trump’s Feb. 7, 2025, executive order directing the department to review government policies and safeguard Second Amendment rights.
Read more A Conservative Audit of the Left’s Ruling Assumptions
