DOJ Investigates Pennsauken Over Alleged Gun Permit Delays

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Pennsauken, New Jersey, to determine whether local officials violate constitutional rights by subjecting firearm applicants to unreasonable wait times. The federal inquiry focuses directly on the permit processing system administered by the Pennsauken Township Police Department.

Federal civil rights investigators are examining allegations that the township deprives law-abiding citizens of their right to keep and bear arms through egregious and unjust licensing delays. Under the Second Amendment, citizens have the protected right to possess firearms, which includes the right to carry them in public.

Federal Review of Pennsauken Police Permitting

The inquiry is being led by the Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section. Federal officials are tasked with determining whether local administrative practices create unlawful hurdles for residents seeking to exercise their constitutional rights.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon explained the purpose of the federal intervention. Dhillon stated that “our investigation aims to discover if allegations of unconstitutional delays in firearm permitting are true, and if so, to fix it.”

The Justice Department noted that its review focuses strictly on reforming municipal administrative practices. Federal officials expressly clarified that the investigation does not support or sanction any armed obstruction against local or federal law enforcement personnel.

Supreme Court Standards Under the Bruen Precedent

The federal government’s legal basis stems from recent constitutional rulings governing state and local weapon regulations. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n, Inc. v. Bruen, setting strict limits on how local authorities may handle firearm licensing.

In that decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a government’s licensing scheme crosses into unconstitutional territory when it is put toward abusive ends. The Court specifically cited lengthy processing wait times and exorbitant fees as examples of abusive barriers that unlawfully prevent ordinary citizens from exercising their right to public carry. Investigators will analyze whether Pennsauken’s practices match those prohibited conditions.

What the Investigation Means for Local Applicants

The initiation of an inquiry does not automatically change local procedures immediately, but it establishes a federal mechanism to examine whether township officials have broken federal law. If the Justice Department verifies the allegations, it can seek corrective actions to force administrative reforms within the police department.

Members of the public who believe their Second Amendment rights have been infringed by lengthy wait times or licensing barriers can file a complaint directly with the Civil Rights Division. The Second Amendment Section accepts submissions from affected individuals to document ongoing administrative obstacles.

When Legal Advice Can Help

Navigating municipal licensing requirements and regulatory delays can be challenging when constitutional protections are at stake. An attorney familiar with administrative procedures and civil rights law can help applicants understand statutory review deadlines, document application histories, and evaluate formal legal avenues when permits face prolonged inaction.

This article is general information based on U.S. Department of Justice and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 14, 2026.