Staff Reports
San Jose politicians are slapping hardworking Americans with outrageous fees just to exercise their constitutional right to carry a firearm for self-defense. The city now charges an incredible $1,443 for an initial concealed carry permit – more than the cost of the firearm itself. This exorbitant fee is a deliberate assault on the Second Amendment by liberal politicians who despise gun rights.
Compare this to freedom-loving states like Texas ($40) and Arizona ($60), where permits are affordable for ordinary citizens. Even in restrictive Illinois, permits cost less than half of San Jose’s robbery. California Democrats are using wallet-straining tactics to block law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves and their families.
When you add the cost of a handgun ($500-$700) and ammunition ($200-$300), San Jose residents face a staggering $2,500 barrier just to exercise a God-given constitutional right. This is nothing but a tax on freedom designed to price working-class Americans out of their liberties. It’s economic discrimination against patriots who simply want to defend themselves.
The politicians claim these fees cover “administrative costs” from their own bloated regulations. But let’s be clear: this is gun control through bankruptcy. They’re making self-defense a luxury only the wealthy can afford while leaving ordinary citizens helpless against criminals who ignore laws anyway.
Santa Clara County already jacked up permit fees to $976 for new licenses and $447 for renewals – and now faces lawsuits for discriminating against lower-income residents. This liberal scheme deliberately targets the poor and middle class who need protection most. It’s class warfare against law-abiding gun owners.
Remember the scandal when corrupt Sheriff Laurie Smith sold permits to political allies like candy? Now they’re using “fee increases” to cover their corruption hangover. These same politicians who created the mess are making honest citizens pay for their failures. It’s a shameful bait-and-switch.
Permit applications have exploded 774% since 2022 – proving Americans desperately want to protect themselves in a state that coddles criminals. Instead of respecting this surge in responsible gun ownership, Democrats created financial roadblocks. They’d rather fund illegal immigrant benefits than protect citizens’ self-defense rights.
This is un-American. Period. They’re turning constitutional rights into exclusive privileges for the elite while leaving everyday patriots defenseless. We must stand against this wallet-gouging tyranny and demand affordable access to our God-given right to bear arms.
