As violent crime surges across America’s largest Democratic-run cities, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is stepping in — this time, suing Los Angeles County for illegally blocking citizens from defending themselves.

The new lawsuit marks the latest clash in a growing battle between the Trump administration’s DOJ and Democrat-led cities over public safety and constitutional rights.

Filed by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the lawsuit accuses the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) of engaging in a “pattern or practice” of delaying or denying concealed carry weapon permits (CCW) for law-abiding citizens.

Federal investigators found that out of more than 8,000 applications, only two were approved — with some residents waiting up to two years just for an interview. Critics say that failure leaves thousands of Angelenos defenseless while robberies, assaults and carjackings surge across the city.

A gun in a holster on a man at a shooting range.  (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Dhillon emphasized that many residents aren’t even applying for permits because they know the wait will stretch for years. 

“There are only 4,000 people mentioned in this lawsuit because people don’t bother to apply when their friends tell them the wait is three years,” Dhillon explained.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., echoed Dhillon’s concerns.

“California continues to face some of the highest crime rates in the nation,” Kiley told Fox News Digital. “Every law-abiding citizen should have the right and ability to protect themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has created significant barriers to that right, with excessive delays and waitlists. I urge the LASD to fully cooperate with the Department of Justice to streamline this process.”

Dhillon closed with a firm message to Los Angeles officials — and to citizens nationwide.

“I think an armed citizenry is a safe citizenry. We have seen a lot of violence in our country recently and no one to push back. It is about time that American citizens stepped up and took responsibility for their own defense safely,” she said. “We should be encouraging gun safety, we should be encouraging gun education, we should be encouraging gun ownership in this country.”

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.