In a new episode on CRPA TV, host Kevin Small sat down with CRPA President Chuck Michel to discuss what Michel calls the “CCW Reckoning Campaign.” According to both Small and Michel, this multi-front legal push is forcing California jurisdictions to comply with Bruen and stop using high fees and delays to keep law-abiding citizens from getting concealed carry permits.
Recent Victories in Court
Michel told Small that the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) has already notched victories against several cities and agencies. “We’ve had successes in La Verne, in the Department of Justice over out-of-state permits, and most recently in Los Angeles County,” Michel said. Each case challenged excessive fees or long delays, and the courts have sided with CRPA.
The LA County Battle: Bloomberg Firms Defeated
The discussion focused heavily on the fight against Los Angeles County. Michel said LA County hired Wilmer Hale, a firm with strong ties to Bloomberg’s gun control network, to try to dismiss the case. “They tried every trick in the book to get rid of our lawsuit,” Michel said, but CRPA “pretty much kicked their butts roundly on everything they tried.”
Bruen Changed the Rules
As Small explained during the interview, Bruen changed the rules. After that Supreme Court decision, counties can no longer use “may issue” tactics. Michel agreed, saying, “You cannot charge excessive fees. You cannot have excessive wait times. These are constitutional rights, not privileges.” He pointed out that counties claiming poverty cannot simply ignore their legal obligations.
Holding Officials Accountable
Small asked Michel about the court’s finding that Sheriff Robert Luna could be held liable for LA County’s delays. Michel clarified that the court ruled these were county-level policies, not state-level mandates, which means legislative immunity doesn’t shield the sheriff. While it doesn’t yet mean personal financial damages, the sheriff can be ordered to change policies.
Learning From Each Case
Michel explained that these lawsuits also serve as a roadmap for tackling other jurisdictions. “Every time we bring one of these cases, we learn what arguments they’re going to make. Then we adjust our complaints so those defenses don’t work next time,” Michel said. Small added that the approach is “like chess – thinking three moves ahead for future cases.”
Santa Clara and LAPD Are Next
According to Michel, CRPA is now targeting Santa Clara County for imposing $2,000 in fees for a CCW permit and preparing to challenge the Los Angeles Police Department for excessive processing delays. “Charging $2,000 for a two-year permit is outrageous,” Michel said. “We’re going to put a stop to it.”
The Role of Settlements
Michel described the settlement with La Verne as an early victory that had a broader effect. “They lowered their fees and paid our attorney’s fees,” he said. Although settlements don’t carry the same legal precedent as a formal judgment, Michel explained that they set a template for what CRPA will demand in future negotiations.
Small Battles, Big Impact
From an outside perspective, these cases might seem small – just one city or one county at a time. But these incremental victories matter. Each win knocks down another excuse anti-gun jurisdictions use to discourage ordinary citizens from applying for permits. As Michel noted, these “small grains of sand pile up into a heap.”
Third-Party Solutions to Speed Processing
Michel also told Small that CRPA is exploring the use of private companies to handle application processing so law enforcement can stay in the field. “This could speed things up dramatically,” Michel said. This outsourcing model is already being looked at as part of settlement negotiations in LA County.
The Bigger Picture
Throughout the conversation, Small stressed that these legal fights are part of a larger war over Second Amendment rights in California. Michel agreed: “We are ultimately going to defend, protect, and restore a lot of the Second Amendment rights that have been stolen from us over the last couple of decades by progressive politicians in Sacramento. The stakes are high, but we are going to win.”
Looking Ahead
The CRPA president said timelines are set for further filings in the LA County case and that more suits are on the way. Michel urged gun owners to support the cause: “We’ll take all the help we can get to make this happen as fast as possible. Join CRPA, volunteer, or just stay informed. This fight is for our children and their children.”
Momentum Is Building
CRPA’s approach is showing results. By combining smart legal strategy with persistence, they’re forcing California jurisdictions to align with the Constitution. While these victories don’t fix everything overnight, they prove that, even in California, the courts can still be a powerful tool for restoring Second Amendment rights.
These cases – past, present, and future – demonstrate that the CRPA’s “CCW Reckoning Campaign,” as explained by Kevin Small and Chuck Michel, is not just about carrying permits. It’s about forcing accountability on a system that has long ignored the constitutional rights of Californians. And, as Michel made clear, they have no intention of slowing down.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
