Santa Clara’s $2,000 Self-Defense Shakedown

Sheriff’s Department hit with lawsuit over excessive CCW fees and unconstitutional mandates

⏱️ 5 min read

CRPA and SAF Take Santa Clara County to Court

Santa Clara County has turned the constitutional right to bear arms into a privilege for the wealthy. On September 22, 2025, the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), joined by the Second Amendment Foundation, filed a federal lawsuit against the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department. The suit alleges that the county’s concealed carry (CCW) process blatantly violates the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision.

The county charges nearly $1,000 in fees, forces applicants into a $400 training course, slaps on a $500 psychological exam, and adds fingerprinting and renewals—pushing the total north of $2,000 every two years. CRPA President Chuck Michel put it plainly: “As CRPA has pursued our CCW Reckoning Project, we’ve encountered many jurisdictions resist the clear mandate of Bruen… Santa Clara has continually doubled down but with this lawsuit today, we are sending the message that enough is enough.”

Typically our afternoon posts offer a previous to our free subscribers but the really good stuff is reserved for our hundreds of paid members. (It’s not very expensive) If you care about California politics, and have a special interest in 2A issue (we write about them often), you should take the plunge. Grab a free trial below to see the rest of this informative column that includes:

Santa Clara’s CCW Overreach: Uncover how costly psychological exams and fees burden your Second Amendment rights.

• First Amendment Risks: Learn about a hidden policy that could tie your political speech to your right to self-defense.

• Why This Case Matters: See how this lawsuit could reshape gun rights across California.