Author: Allen Thompson, Esq.

Allen focuses on Constitutional Law topics, such as religious freedom, the right to keep and bear arms, eminent domain, and due process. He has a deep respect for the structure of the constitutional republic the founding generation established. As such, he has a profound appreciation for the individual rights implicitly protected by that structure and explicitly protected by the Bill of Rights. Therefore, you can find him blogging about not only the current events in the law, but the philosophical underpinnings that the Constitution is founded on. Without an understanding of the past and the reasons for the Constitution, it is far too easy to allow it to be underminded for fleeting political advantage.

Study Reveals That More Armed, Law-Abiding Citizens Results in Less Murder . . . Who Knew?

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

A new study by Quinnipiac's Mark Gius adds more intellectual ammunition to the RKBA arsenal.  Gius' study, published in Applied Economics Letters, found that between 1980 and 2009, murder rates were typically higher in states that had stricter concealed carry laws.  After adjusting for variables, the study found, as quoted in the abstract: "states with restrictions … Continue reading Study Reveals That More Armed, Law-Abiding Citizens Results in Less Murder . . . Who Knew? →

Big Brother Goes to Court…

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

The federal courts have begun to weigh in on the NSA surveillance techniques exposed by Edward Snowden and Glenn Greenwald. As with many instances of unsettled Constitutional law, the courts are split. The DC District Court found that the bulk collection of telephony metadata was "probably unconstitutional" and so granted Larry Klayman's request for a … Continue reading Big Brother Goes to Court… →

“Let Them Store Firearms!”: Florida Appeals Court Finds State Preempts University Firearms Regulation

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

(As I am not licensed in Florida, nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice in the State of Florida.) While this may not be the winter of our discontent, it seems to be shaping up to be the winter of preemption.  As Prince Law Offices awaits the Commonwealth Court's determination in its … Continue reading “Let Them Store Firearms!”: Florida Appeals Court Finds State Preempts University Firearms Regulation →

Religious Freedom Scores a Victory in the D.C. Circuit: Gilardi v. HHS and the Free Exercise of Religion

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

On November 1, the D.C. Circuit held that the Affordable Care Act’s [ACA] contraceptive mandate “trammels the right of free exercise – a right that lies at the core of our constitutional liberties . . .”  The case – Gilardi v. U.S. Dep’t of H.H.S. - was brought by two brothers from Ohio, Francis and … Continue reading Religious Freedom Scores a Victory in the D.C. Circuit: Gilardi v. HHS and the Free Exercise of Religion →

The Commonwealth v. McKown Aftermath….

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

By Allen Thompson, Esq. An unfortunate decision was rendered by the Pennsylvania Superior Court this past Tuesday (Oct. 22, 2013).  In Commonwealth v. McKown, 2013 Pa. Super 282 (2013), the court broadly issued a sweeping ruling concerning Licenses to Carry Firearms (LTCFs) and reciprocity.  What could have been a limited ruling applying to merely the … Continue reading The Commonwealth v. McKown Aftermath…. →

Maryland, New Jersey and New York’s Restrictive Firearms Laws…Oh My…Pennsylvania to the Rescue

Posted on by Allen Thompson, Esq.

By Allen Thompson Maryland, New Jersey, and New York are infamous for their highly restrictive gun laws these days.  In New Jersey, a handgun purchaser is required to get a specific Permit for Purchasing a Handgun, which is only good for ninety days and five handguns.  In New York, we’re all familiar with the arrests … Continue reading Maryland, New Jersey and New York’s Restrictive Firearms Laws…Oh My…Pennsylvania to the Rescue →