At midnight last night, in the absence of Governor Wolf taking any action, HB 218 became law, which, inter alia, stripped the Pennsylvania State Police of the $4,575,000 of additional funding sought by the PSP for the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) for 2017-2018. As you can see, although the PSP putatively did not have … Continue reading PSP PICS System Stripped of Funding for 2017-2018
Author: 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).
Third Circuit Holds That Recording Police In Public Is Protected By The First Amendment
Today, in Fields v. City of Philadelphia, et al., the Third Circuit Court of Appeals joined five other circuit courts in holding that the 1st Amendment protects the public recording of police officers. As stated in the decision, the background is somewhat simplistic - Mr. Field and a Mrs. Geraci attempted to record "Philadelphia police … Continue reading Third Circuit Holds That Recording Police In Public Is Protected By The First Amendment
SCOTUS Properly Denied Cert in Peruta v. California
While it may come as a shock to many of our viewers, I am firmly of the position that the U.S. Supreme Court properly denied certiorari in Peruta v. California, given the significant rumors of Justice Kennedy's impending retirement this summer - the result of which will trigger the biggest battle over the confirmation of … Continue reading SCOTUS Properly Denied Cert in Peruta v. California
Senate Passes SB 383 With Anti-Gun Provisions
Today, on third consideration, the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 383 with the anti-gun amendments, which I previously wrote about earlier today. It is now imperative that you contact you State Representative and demand that they vote against SB 383 or completely amend it to address the issues that I have previously written about and remove … Continue reading Senate Passes SB 383 With Anti-Gun Provisions
Anti-Gun Amendments Added to Senate Bill 383 Permitting Teachers to Carry Firearms in Pennsylvania
Although Senator White's Office - the Prime Sponsor of SB 383 - stated on Monday that there was no longer an ability to amend SB 383 in relation to the issues I previously raised, yesterday, Philadelphia Democratic Senator Sharif Street added several anti-gun and anti-right amendments to SB 383, as initially reported by PennLive, which … Continue reading Anti-Gun Amendments Added to Senate Bill 383 Permitting Teachers to Carry Firearms in Pennsylvania
Absent Additional Amendments, Oppose Senate Bill 383 Permitting Teachers To Carry Firearms In Pennsylvania
As our viewers are aware, I previously blogged about some of the issues with SB 383 in relation to permitting Pennsylvania teachers to carry firearms in schools. While some minor amendments have been offered in relation to it, there are still a plethora of issues, which preclude me from supporting it, even though I am … Continue reading Absent Additional Amendments, Oppose Senate Bill 383 Permitting Teachers To Carry Firearms In Pennsylvania
SCOTUS Denies Certiorari in Binderup/Suarez
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the U.S. Government's request for appeal in the combined cases of Attorney General Sessions v. Binerup and Suarez, leaving in place the District Court and Third Circuit decisions holding that an individual can successfully bring a Second Amendment as-applied challenge to a non-violent misdemeanor firearms disability. I … Continue reading SCOTUS Denies Certiorari in Binderup/Suarez
Firearms Law Seminar – August 19, 2017 at King Shooter Supply!
On August 19, 2017, Chief Counsel Joshua Prince, Attorney Adam Kraut and Attorney Eric Winter of Firearms Industry Consulting Group® (FICG®), a division of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., in conjunction with King Shooters Supply, will offer a four (4) hour seminar, from 1-5pm, on state and federal firearms law at their store located at … Continue reading Firearms Law Seminar – August 19, 2017 at King Shooter Supply!
A Very Interesting Decision On City Domestic Violence Convictions Not Triggering A Federal Prohibition
Two days ago, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a largely overlooked decision in U.S. v. Alexander Pauler, which involved Mr. Pauler's misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence, pursuant to a municipal ordinance. Mr. Pauler was previously convicted in 2009 of violating a Wichita, Kansas municipal domestic battery ordinance by punching his girlfriend. As the … Continue reading A Very Interesting Decision On City Domestic Violence Convictions Not Triggering A Federal Prohibition
Firearm Preemption Passes Senate With Veto-Proof Vote
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 5 with a vote of 34 to 16, which is a 2/3rds majority veto-proof vote; however, the vote could have been even stronger if three republicans - Senators Greenleaf, Killion and McGarrigle - had not voted against it. At the last minute, there were five amendments proposed to Senate … Continue reading Firearm Preemption Passes Senate With Veto-Proof Vote
