In a bold move signaling a seismic shift in federal policy, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has unveiled a dedicated Second Amendment Rights Section within its Civil Rights Division. Announced on December 8, 2025, this new unit—led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon—aims to treat gun ownership as a fundamental civil right, on par with protections for voting, religion, and disability access. For gun rights advocates, it’s a long-overdue victory; for gun violence prevention groups, it’s a dangerous diversion of resources.
What Is the New DOJ Second Amendment Section?
The Second Amendment Rights Section is the first-ever dedicated office in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division focused exclusively on upholding the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Under Dhillon’s leadership, the unit will scrutinize state and local gun laws for potential infringements, filing lawsuits, amicus briefs, or statements of interest to challenge unconstitutional restrictions.
This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a structural overhaul. The section began operations in December 2025, just weeks after President Trump’s early-tenure executive order directing enhanced gun rights protection. Dhillon, a conservative litigator and founder of the Center for American Liberty, was confirmed by the Senate in April 2025 to helm the Civil Rights Division. Her vision? To ensure the Second Amendment isn’t treated as a “second-class right,” echoing Attorney General Pam Bondi’s emphatic stance.
Key focus areas include:
- Excessive fees for concealed carry permits: Some jurisdictions charge multi-thousand-dollar fees, creating barriers for everyday citizens.
- Unreasonable delays in permitting: Lengthy wait times that effectively deny timely access to self-defense tools.
- Bans on protected firearms: Laws outlawing commonly used guns, which conflict with Supreme Court precedents like District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022).
By integrating gun rights enforcement into the Civil Rights Division’s toolkit, the DOJ is poised to intervene in courts across the country, promoting uniform federal standards over patchwork state regulations.
Key Highlights from the Announcement
Harmeet Dhillon’s remarks during the unveiling were electric, framing firearms not as privileges but as equalizers for self-protection. “For the first time, the DOJ Civil Rights Division… will be protecting and advancing our citizens’ right to bear arms as part of our civil rights work,” she declared. Dhillon highlighted how armed citizens deter crime—”Criminals are less likely to target a home protected by an armed citizen”—and empower vulnerable groups: “Gun rights equalizes the ability of those of us, women, people with disabilities, and others who might otherwise be more vulnerable to be able to protect ourselves.”
Attorney General Bondi reinforced the message: “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right.” This echoes Dhillon’s mantra, repeated in court filings and public statements, underscoring the unit’s mission to apply Second Amendment protections with the same vigor as other constitutional safeguards.
Why This Matters: Empowering Gun Owners and Challenging State Overreach
For millions of law-abiding gun owners, this section represents a federal backstop against what advocates call “unconstitutional overreach” by blue states. Oliver Krawczyk, a Second Amendment litigator at Ambler Law, hailed it as a “welcome change,” noting that individuals and grassroots groups have long battled restrictive laws alone. The unit could streamline challenges to permitting hurdles, making concealed carry more accessible and aligning state laws with Supreme Court rulings that affirm the right to carry for self-defense.
Gun rights groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) view this as a “stark departure” from prior administrations, praising its potential to foster consistency and legal clarity. In red and purple states, it bolsters deterrence: Studies and advocates alike point to armed citizens reducing crime risks in homes and communities.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect from DOJ Gun Rights Enforcement
As the Second Amendment Rights Section ramps up, expect a flurry of federal interventions. Early targets could include high-fee states like California or delay-plagued cities, with the DOJ filing briefs in ongoing litigation. This could lead to landmark wins, standardizing gun rights nationwide and reducing barriers for 100 million+ gun owners.
Yet, the backlash is building. Brady vows to “defend lifesaving gun laws” and push for new solutions, while courts will ultimately decide if this unit tips the scales too far. In a country where 80% of Americans—including many gun owners—support common-sense reforms, the tension between rights and safety will define 2026’s debates.