The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners held their first meeting of the year virtually earlier today and heard comments from PGC staff biologists and specialists before considering each item on the agenda. Ultimately, the Commission voted to pass each of the enumerated agenda items, and while I will not cover them all here, there are … Continue reading Pennsylvania Game Commission January Meeting Notes – Digital Licenses, Unlimited Antlerless Tags?, and more Sunday Hunting on the Horizon!
Commonwealth Court Declares 2019 “Marsy’s Law” Proposed Amendment Unconstitutional, Invalidates Votes Cast
Our readers may remember that in the Fall of 2019, we published two blog articles recommending a “No” vote on the Marsy’s Law ballot question which, in very broad terms, would have had the effect of substantially expanding victim’s rights in the criminal justice system. For a more detailed recap of the ballot question, the … Continue reading Commonwealth Court Declares 2019 “Marsy’s Law” Proposed Amendment Unconstitutional, Invalidates Votes Cast
At Long Last, Licensed
It is with great pleasure that I am finally able to announce that I have been formally admitted to the bars of Pennsylvania and Maryland and am licensed to practice law without restriction in both states. 2020 has been a year for the record books in ways we never could have anticipated. Earlier this year … Continue reading At Long Last, Licensed
FERC Proposes Incentives for Cybersecurity Investments by Public Utilities
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) took a major step toward enhancing the cybersecurity posture of the bulk power system this month with a proposal for public utilities to secure incentive-based rate treatment for voluntary cybersecurity investments that go above and beyond mandatory Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards. The December 17, 2020 … Continue reading FERC Proposes Incentives for Cybersecurity Investments by Public Utilities
Pennsylvania Announces 2021 Average Weekly Wage
by Karl VoigtPennsylvania’s Secretary of Labor and Industry has announced the 2021 Statewide Average Weekly Wage. This figure serves as the basis for determining the maximum and minimum weekly Workers’ Compensation benefit rates in Pennsylvania. The figure has increased 4.6% to $1130 from the 2019 average of $1081. This increase affects the weekly rates paid … Continue reading Pennsylvania Announces 2021 Average Weekly Wage
Permitium License to Carry/Concealed Carry Permit SCAM
We just became aware of a nationwide scam, acknowledged by Permitium, which targets License to Carry Firearms ("LTCF") and Concealed Carry or Weapon Permit (CCP / CWP) holders alerting them that their permit must either be renewed or changed. This is a SCAM. We have a client who received this exact notice, who was not … Continue reading Permitium License to Carry/Concealed Carry Permit SCAM
Year in Review: Major Pennsylvania and Federal Firearms Law Cases of 2020
As the year is thankfully coming to a close, we thought it important to document some of the monumental court decisions and issues that Firearms Industry Consulting Group® (FICG®), a division of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., was involved in or obtained in 2020, even while we dealt with COVID and substantial court closures. Landmark, … Continue reading Year in Review: Major Pennsylvania and Federal Firearms Law Cases of 2020
ATF Withdrawals Notice and Request for Comment Regarding Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces
In a shocking change of course - likely because it was in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act and former Attorney General Session's memorandum entitled Prohibition on Improper Guidance Documents - the ATF appears to be withdrawing its notice and request for comment on Objective Factors for Classifying Stabilizer Braces. The notice, which will likely … Continue reading ATF Withdrawals Notice and Request for Comment Regarding Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Holds that Probable Cause and Exigent Circumstances are Required for the Warrantless Search of a Vehicle
The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation subscribed to by the affiant. … Continue reading Pennsylvania Supreme Court Holds that Probable Cause and Exigent Circumstances are Required for the Warrantless Search of a Vehicle
ATF to Publish Stabilizer Brace Guidance with 14 Day Notice and Comment Period Tomorrow
As reflected in a notice issued through the Federal Register electronic notice system, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intends to publish tomorrow, Friday, December 18, 2020, its "Objective Factors for Classifying Stabilizer Braces" in the Federal Register, which we previously blogged about in our article ATF to Institute Rulemaking Regarding Stabilizing Braces … Continue reading ATF to Publish Stabilizer Brace Guidance with 14 Day Notice and Comment Period Tomorrow
