City Of Compton Pays Gun Groups` Legal Fees In Concealed Firearm Permit Lawsuit

National Rifle Association
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California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.
271 East Imperial Highway • Fullerton, California 92835

CRPA Studies CCW Permit Irregularities Via Mass Public Records Review
*More Law Suits Pending*

Compton, CA - Firearms owners won a significant victory this month when the City of Compton paid attorneys` fees to the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) in a lawsuit against the City for refusing to turn over public records pertaining to the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms (CCF).

The lawsuit (case no. BS062049) originated with a CRPA public records act request to approximately 200 cities for a list of CCF license holders and the city policies for issuing such licenses. Compton failed to turn over the documents, so CRPA filed suit.

The Los Angeles Superior Court issued a Writ of Mandate against the City, ordering it to produce the records and pay the CRPA`s fees. When the Compton Police Department was dissolved and replaced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff`s Department, however, the CCF records were apparently intentionally destroyed. But the City issued checks to pay the fees when presented with the Court Order.

"Quite simply, Compton`s record keeping on these licenses was abysmal," said CRPA attorney Chuck Michel. "The system was ripe for abuse, which is the reason for the CRPA`s public records requests in the first place."

"CRPA is studying CCF abuses throughout the state, and considering the cronyism and illegalities being uncovered, its not surprising that some cities don`t want to turn over evidence. This won`t be the last law suit filed." Michel predicted.

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