Tonight, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted a Firearms Licensee seminar, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, and which was hosted by the Berks County Sheriff’s Department. Accordingly, a huge thanks goes out Sheriff Weaknecht for making this possible. In years past, ATF has attempted to hold these seminars on a more frequent basis but due to budget restraints, they are limited in how frequently they can host these educational seminars.
The seminar lasted approximately four hours with approximately 1/3rd of the time being allotted to audience questions. Issues reviewed were: Licensing, The Gun Control Act, Federal requirements affecting employees and employers, Conduct of Business, Recordkeeping, Straw Purchases, Reporting Theft/Loss and New Developments.
It was a very informative session, with the only lacking element, in my opinion, being someone with more familiarity with the NFA. While even Philadelphia Director of Industry Operations Alphonso Hughes was in attendance and presented, there seemed to be a lack of knowledge regarding NFA transfers, licensing, and issues regarding renewal/changing of SOT’s during a tax year. I believe it would have been even more beneficial if someone from the NFA Branch was in attendance, even if that attendance was virtual.
I also discussed with Director Hughes about the possibility of providing all new FFL applicants with a copy of the powerpoint demonstration or some variation thereof, so that new FFLs have something to refer to, other than dense written materials, after the initial interview. He seemed very open to the idea and was going to look into it, which I believe could be extremely beneficial to the community.
I will continue to post some different topical issues that arose during the seminar in the weeks to come.
Published by Joshua Prince, Esq.
With our 2nd Amendment rights being attacked at both the Federal and State level, and the ATF (Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) trying to close down FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) for minor infractions while making FFLs the scapegoat when the ATF's records are inaccurate, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am one of only a handful of attorneys across the US that practices in the niche area of law known as firearms law. I decided to concentrate my legal practice on firearms law not only because I am a shooter and firearms enthusiast, but also to ensure that our inalienable Right to Keep and Bear Arms is never encroached upon.
I handle cases at the Federal and State level for both FFLs and individuals. At the federal and state levels for individuals, I actively defend the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 21 of the PA Constitution, as well as, help individuals with:
- License to Carry Firearms Denials;
- Challenges to Erroneous PICS Denials;
- Relief from Firearms Disabilities;
- Estate Planning Advice;
- Gun/NFA Trusts; and
- 42 USC 1983 Actions for Deprivation of Civil Rights
At both the state and federal levels, I represent FFLs and SOTs throughout Pennsylvania and the US regarding:
- ATF Compliance Inspections;
- Warning Letters and Hearings;
- FFL Revocations;
- Corporate Structure Advice
- Indoor/Outdoor Range Implementation; and
- Forfeiture Proceedings
In following my love for firearms and firearms law, I have taught several Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on Firearms in Estates and Trusts and Firearms Law 101 for several Bar Associations, including Berks, Cumberland, and Dauphin Counties. I also planned and taught several Firearms in Estates CLE classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI).
While at Widener Law School, I was a member of the Widener Law Journal. I wrote an article on the Inaccuracy of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). I also had an article published on Fee Disputes in Workers Compensation cases in the Widener Law Journal, Volume 18, No. 2.
You can often find me posting on several internet forums, including Subguns, Uzitalk, AR15, and PAFOA. I also hold PA Firearms Law classes for local ranges to inform the public on the firearm laws of the Commonwealth.
Following in my father's footsteps, I am also a Board member for the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL).
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