The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the Philadelphia Police Department over allegations that it improperly revoked permits to carry firearms by relying on a discretionary “good cause” standard.
The inquiry, announced Tuesday by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, will examine the department’s policies and practices for issuing and revoking licenses to carry firearms, as well as its enforcement of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act.
“I have directed the Civil Rights Division, through our Second Amendment Section, to defend law-abiding citizens from local authorities who infringe the right to safely carry legal firearms,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. “Law-abiding Americans, regardless of where they live, should not have to worry that their city will revoke their means of self-defense.”
According to a notice letter sent to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, investigators will assess whether the department’s practices comply with the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
“It is a violation of the Second Amendment for government officials to use vague, personal discretion when determining whether to issue or revoke permits to carry firearms,” the DOJ said.
The Justice Department emphasized that it has not reached any conclusions and will review all relevant information, including steps city officials have taken to ensure compliance with federal law and the Constitution.
The investigation stems from allegations that Philadelphia police use a subjective standard to revoke firearm permits, possibly infringing on the rights of lawful gun owners. The Justice Department pointed to two major Supreme Court rulings on gun rights: the 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized an individual’s right to possess firearms for lawful purposes, and a 2022 ruling that limited officials’ ability to deny firearm licenses based on broad discretionary judgments.
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Federal investigators said they plan to interview city and police officials, as well as individuals who have interacted with the department, while seeking to minimize disruptions to police operations.
The Philadelphia Police Department and the mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comments.