Today, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel’s issued, through a Press Release, a 49 page opinion, concluding that 18-to-20-year-olds are among "the people" protected by the Second Amendment and that restrictions on their rights, based solely on their age, are unconstitutional. The opinion is consistent with the arguments that we've made in … Continue reading DOJ Opinion Finds Age-Based Handgun Ban for 18–20-Year-Olds Unconstitutional
Tag: ffl
ATF Publishes New Agency Direction and Invites Some Revoked FFL’s to Reapply
As many of our readers are likely aware, on April 7, 2025 ATF rescinded the Zero Tolerance Policy that was implemented under the Biden Administration. Under that policy, ATF classified certain types of violations found during compliance inspections as "zero tolerance" and would issue a Notice of Revocation, no matter the number or circumstances around … Continue reading ATF Publishes New Agency Direction and Invites Some Revoked FFL’s to Reapply
ATF changes definition of “engaged in the Business”, expands licensing requirements
The ATF has - yet again - issued a regulation that threatens to criminalize a wide range of conduct based on criteria that are vague at best, and perhaps even incomprehensible. A new final rule signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland purports to amend the regulatory definition of when someone is "Engaged in the Business" … Continue reading ATF changes definition of “engaged in the Business”, expands licensing requirements
ATF Issues Open Letter Classifying SOME “Solvent Traps” and Other Parts as Silencers
The latest development in the ongoing controversy over the sale of "solvent traps" to customers in the US took place on Monday, November 20th with the issuance of an ATF Open Letter advising Federal Firearms Licensees of the agency's examination of devices marketed as solvent traps. As Attorneys Dillon Harris and Joshua Prince have previously … Continue reading ATF Issues Open Letter Classifying SOME “Solvent Traps” and Other Parts as Silencers
Lawsuit Filed Against Lower Merion Township’s Unlawful And Unconstitutional Zoning Regulation of Firearm Dealers
Today, Chief Counsel Joshua Prince and attorney Dillon Harris of the Firearms Industry Consulting Group, a division of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., filed suit in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Firearm Owners Against Crime – Institute for Legislative, Legal, and Educational Action (FOAC-ILLEA), Shot Tec, LLC, and Grant Schmidt … Continue reading Lawsuit Filed Against Lower Merion Township’s Unlawful And Unconstitutional Zoning Regulation of Firearm Dealers
DDTC Reduces ITAR Fee Through April 30, 2021!
While the recent changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) have dramatically reduced the number of Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) who must register, recently the Directorate of Defense Trade Control (DDTC) announced that it will reduce the registration and renewal fees through April 30, 2021. Specifically, the registration fee for all new registrants … Continue reading DDTC Reduces ITAR Fee Through April 30, 2021!
ATF Confirms That It Is Lawful For FFLs To Utilize “Ditto Marks” In Their A&D Records
On December 19, 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a responsive determination to me that it is lawful for a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) to utilize what are referred to as ditto marks (i.e. a set of quotation marks or " ") in their acquisition and disposition (A&D) record, after … Continue reading ATF Confirms That It Is Lawful For FFLs To Utilize “Ditto Marks” In Their A&D Records
ATF releases 2018 Report on Firearm Commerce in the United States (Numbers, Bar Graphs, and Pie Charts!)
ATF has released its annual Firearms Commerce in the United States Statistical Update for 2018. As my one friend put it, “Let the nerdery begin.” To be fair, you have to be pretty nerdy to enjoy this stuff, hence me writing about it. The Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) is only current through … Continue reading ATF releases 2018 Report on Firearm Commerce in the United States (Numbers, Bar Graphs, and Pie Charts!)
As an FFL, Can You Sell an NFA Firearm Through the Mail?
Often times, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) inquire as to whether they can sell a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm through the mail, without the buyer needing to be present. To the surprise of most FFLs, you actually can sell NFA firearms through the mail, provided the purchaser is not otherwise prohibited and is a resident … Continue reading As an FFL, Can You Sell an NFA Firearm Through the Mail?
DDTC Issues Guidance on ITAR Registration
On Friday July 22, 2016, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls ("DDTC") released a letter issuing guidance on the requirement of firearm manufacturers and gunsmiths to register with DDTC under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). There has been constant discussion on the internet regarding whether an individual who has obtained a federal firearms license ("FFL") … Continue reading DDTC Issues Guidance on ITAR Registration
