While at a conference last week I had the pleasure of attending a panel discussion entitled: "The Second Amendment: Enforcing the Heller Decision." A panel that included voices from across the political spectrum engaged in a give-and-take that well summarized developments in recent years. The discussion was recorded and you can view it here. I was … Continue reading The Second Amendment: Enforcing the Heller Decision
Author: Tom Odom, Esq.
A Proposal to Limit the Regulatory State
Readers of this blog are well aware of the extent to which individual liberties are constrained not only by laws passed by Congress but also by federal administrative agencies (like ATF but also including EPA, and any number of other examples). For most of last week I was in Washington, D.C., attending a conference, where … Continue reading A Proposal to Limit the Regulatory State
A Brief Memorial to Justice Scalia
I was shocked by the sudden death of Justice Scalia this past weekend. I will not say that he was my favorite member of the current Court or that I always agreed with his opinions, but I certainly agreed with him much more often than not. As a law professor, he served as a mentor … Continue reading A Brief Memorial to Justice Scalia
Important Update on Implementation of ATF-41F
Rather than use the rulemaking process set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") seemingly continues to release information in a haphazard manner that sows confusion among the very people striving to comply with its requirements. After taking more than two years to review comments and draft … Continue reading Important Update on Implementation of ATF-41F
Publication of the ATF-41P Final Rule
In the Federal Register for today, January 15, 2016, ATF published its Final Rule in ATF-41P, at volume 81, pages 2658 through 2723. As previously reported here, ATF posted the Final Rule to its Website on January 4, 2016. In the event of any discrepancies, the version published in the Federal Register represents the official … Continue reading Publication of the ATF-41P Final Rule
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Hear Another Second Amendment Case
Today attorney Tom Odom of Prince Law Offices, P.C., will file with the U.S. Supreme Court a brief on behalf of Firearms Owners Against Crime ("FOAC") and Firearms Industry Consulting Group ("FICG"), in support of the request of Tab Bonidy and the National Association for Gun Rights to review a decision of the U.S. Court … Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Hear Another Second Amendment Case
Colt Bankruptcy
I am aware that some purchasers of Colt firearms are concerned with the announcement earlier this month that the company has filed for bankruptcy. Please note that Colt's press release on the subject found here explains that Colt requested that the Bankruptcy Court approve its "requests to protect trade creditors, vendors, and suppliers thereby allowing … Continue reading Colt Bankruptcy
Hope for Restoration of Federal Firearms Rights
Although by federal statute there is a mechanism by which an individual who has lost his federal firearms rights may request a review to have them restored, that mechanism has been effectively unavailable for years as a limitation in the annual appropriations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive Devices ("ATF") has prohibited … Continue reading Hope for Restoration of Federal Firearms Rights
Notarization of Legal Documents, including Gun Trusts, in Pennsylvania
In the past few weeks, I have had two different clients who encountered difficulty in having a notary public verify their signature of legal documents. In the first case, the notary objected because he could not independently confirm whether the statements in an affidavit were true. In the second case, the notary objected because the … Continue reading Notarization of Legal Documents, including Gun Trusts, in Pennsylvania
ATF Proposes Rule to Require FFLs to Report Missing Firearms
Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing the obligation of Federal Firearms Licensees ("FFLs") to report certain missing firearms. 78 Fed. Reg. 47033-47039. The proposed rule is captioned Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition -- Reporting Theft or Loss of Firearms in … Continue reading ATF Proposes Rule to Require FFLs to Report Missing Firearms