Gun News

May 18, 2015

Supreme Court states: Felons Do Not Lose Property Right in Owned Firearms

We have been telling people for years that a properly drafted gun trust can help protect your firearms in the event that you become a prohibited person in the future. Today the Supreme Court came to a Unanimous Decisions supporting our view that a trust can be used to hold firearms for a liquidating event or for the future beneficiaries of the trust without being lost.

The court held that “while a convicted felon is prohibited from “possessing” firearms pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g), nothing strips the individual of his/her property interest in the firearms and the individual retains “the right merely to sell or otherwise dispose of their firearms,” provided the felon lacks all control over the firearms. Our Gun Trusts already provide for this ability to just this type of purpose.

The Court also held that “§ 922(g) does not bar such a transfer unless it would allow the felon to later control the guns, so that he could either use them or direct their use.” This even permits an individual to create a gun trust after they lose their rights, assign the property to a trust as long as they do not have the ability to have direct or indirect use nor direct their use. A properly drafted gun trust would remove all abilities of a felon or prohibited person from using or directing the use of all firearms and ammo within the trust.

September 12, 2014

What to do if the ATF rejects your Gun Trust Application to build a Machine Gun

by David M. Goldman

You need to timely dispute the ATF denial. ATF is denying these applications under 922 (O) (1)

Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun.

But if you read the section 922 (O) (2) (A), the exception, states that:

a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or

November 15, 2013

Michigan Senate panel approves bill to lift ban on short-barreled shotguns and rifles

by David M. Goldman

The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation that would lift the state’s ban on short-barreled shotguns and rifles.

Senate Bill 610 would align Michigan with more than 40 other states that allow residents to own such guns if they meet federal requirements.

The current Michigan regulations prohibit people from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale or possessing a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. There is an exception allowing ownership of an antique gun unlikely to be used as a weapon. Often if the gun is modified it no longer remains the C&R status of an antique gun.

August 31, 2013

NFATCA Issues Statement Regarding CLEO and ATF

by David M. Goldman

It seems that there has been a lot written about the NFATCA recently because of the recent proposed changes to the way NFATCA wants to deal with Trusts and define responsible parties. While it is clear that the NFATCA did not request the changes that have been proposed, it might be fair to say their efforts opened the can of worms and perhaps given the current political client, it might not have been the best time to try to eliminate CLEO. Imagine the shock to President Obama and the Administration to find out that Machine guns were legal. For years Obama has been stating that everyone knows that Machine Guns are illegal.

The proposed changes are not in anyones best interest. I do expect to see changes to what we have seen and the NFATCA will be active in helping to justify the absurdity of the current proposal. In addition, we will be working on proposed actions and responses to the ATF once the comment period opens.

Follow this link for the NFATCA_Statement_083113.pdf or you may read the statement below.
Continue reading

August 29, 2013

Whitehouse.gov posts inaccurate fact sheet on Trusts

by David M. Goldman

Below is what was posted on the whitehouse.gov website. It is clear that the whoever wrote this does not understand the law and you will notice a lot of anti firearms language and an anti gun rights slant to the message.

Closing a Loophole to Keep Some of the Most Dangerous Guns Out of the Wrong Hands

Current law places special restrictions on many of the most dangerous weapons, such as machine guns and short-barreled shotguns. These weapons must be registered, and in order to lawfully possess them, a prospective buyer must undergo a fingerprint-based background check.

August 29, 2013

Gun owners with Trusts or Corporations and Obama Administration

by David M. Goldman

Today there has been much news about an action or executive order to help ensure that people who should not be able to own NFA firearms are not permitted to do so using a Trust.

First, our Gun Trusts, have never allowed a prohibited person to legally purchase, or be authorized to use firearms or ammunition. This is one of the significant differences between a real Gun Trust from a Gun Trust Lawyer® like we provide, and other so called gun trusts or regular estate planning Trusts.

If you are a criminal, addicted to drugs, a user of illegal drugs(under federal law including medical marijuana), or prohibited to own firearms under local, state, or federal laws, you cannot use our documents to create a valid trust. In addition, any co-trustee or authorized users who are prohibited cannot be added and any attempt to do so is void.

July 23, 2013

Advanced Armament 1911 R1 / Tirant 45 Suppressor Package

by David M. Goldman

This past Friday, thefirearmsblog.com released an article detailing Advanced Armament Corp.’s (AAC) new collaboration with Remington. The article announces the collaboration as “Advanced Armament Corp.’s first branded pistol,” disregarding AAC’s long time partnership with Nighthawk Custom.

Nonetheless, Advanced Armament has teamed up with Remington to offer the first-ever pistol/suppressor combo package with a retail price of $2,261.

The accuracy and reliability of the 1911 have been enhanced by the features this product exhibits. End consumers will be happy to know that this silencer and pistol combination is equipped with a Pelican case with custom cut foam, a Tirant45 silencer and (2) two magazines. The product also features high sites, a black threaded barrel, custom Grey VZ “Grenade” AAC logo grips, the Skull Xguns logo on the right side of the slide and “Advanced Armament Corp” on the left side.

This package is an AcuSport exclusive, and is only available to FFL Class III dealers who purchase through AcuSport. Since the silencer is a Title II item, if you purchase this new combo, keep in mind you will have to submit a Form 4 to ATF.

July 8, 2013

Firearms Industry Files Suit Regarding New Connecticut Gun Laws

by David M. Goldman

The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, today filed suit in federal court for the District of Connecticut alleging that Governor Dannel Malloy and the leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly misused the so-called “emergency certification” exception to circumvent the safeguards of the normal legislative process and in violation of Connecticut statutory law in order to pass Senate Bill 1160, a package of strict gun control regulations.

The suit further alleges that enactment of the new law violates fundamental due process rights guaranteed by both the Connecticut and United States Constitutions. NSSF is asking the court to declare the law invalid and issue an injunction prohibiting its enforcement.

“A 139-page bill was assembled behind closed doors, bypassing both the public hearing and committee processes, and quickly sent to floor votes on the same day in both the House and Senate where legislators did not have adequate time to even read the bill. The governor then signed the package into law the next day. All of this is in violation of guarantees citizens are supposed to have under Connecticut State Statutes and protections in our State and U.S. Constitutions for which our forefathers fought,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel, NSSF. “Our suit focuses on this abuse of process that has resulted in enacted law that does nothing to improve public safety, while resulting in adverse effects on law-abiding citizens, manufacturers, retailers and sportsmen’s organizations.”

April 8, 2013

Senate to Take Up Anti-Gun Legislation Soon!

by David M. Goldman

The U.S. Senate has announced that anti-gun legislation will be heard on the floor next week. While that could change at any time, right now it means that your Second Amendment freedoms are on the chopping block, and you need to take immediate action to save them.

Senators are scheduled to vote on a so-called “universal background check” bill being pushed by lifelong anti-gun zealot, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y). Schumer’s bill–S. 374, the “Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013”– would criminalize virtually all private firearm sales, even temporary transfers, making you a criminal if you simply transfer a firearm to an aunt, uncle, cousin or lifelong friend without the federal government’s approval. Even worse, President Barack Obama’s Justice Department says that Schumer’s bill will only be effective if it’s coupled with mandatory gun registration.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) gun and magazine ban legislation will be allowed to offer her legislation as an amendment.

April 6, 2013

Obama Administration is expected to sign the treaty soon after it is opened for signature June 3

by David M. Goldman

On April 2, the United Nations General Assembly voted 153-4 to pass the Arms Trade Treaty, with the United States voting in favor. The vote in the General Assembly was necessary to push the treaty process forward after negotiations twice failed to deliver on the goal of developing the treaty by unanimous consent. The Obama Administration is expected to sign the treaty soon after it is opened for signature June 3.

The text of the approved treaty is deeply problematic and threatens the rights and privacy of American gun owners. Signatories are encouraged to keep information on the “end users” of arms imported into their territory and supply such information to the exporting country. Exporting nations, nearly all of which have civilian firearm control regimes far harsher than the U.S., are encouraged to take the firearm control laws of an importing country into account before approving a transfer of arms. The treaty also encourages states to adopt domestic legislation to facilitate the treaty’s onerous requirements.

To read more on this treaty and its problems see the full press release from the NRA-ILA