“Renzulli Run Down” — The RLF Firearms and Shooting Sports Industry Newsletter
RLF Victory: “Privately” Maintained Social Media Information Found Discoverable
Renzulli Law Firm, LLP, on behalf of a Pennsylvania indoor shooting range, recently prevailed on a motion to compel the production of information that a personal injury plaintiff posted privately on Facebook. Plaintiff’s lawsuit alleges that he suffered hearing loss from gunshot noise he was exposed to while discharging firearms in defendant’s shooting range. We…
Seventh Circuit Invalidates Chicago Regulation Effectively Prohibiting Firing Ranges
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Ezell v. City of Chicago, Nos. 14-3312 & 14-3322, recently invalidated three Chicago regulations that drastically limited where firing ranges could be located within city limits and who could enter those ranges. The location-related regulations limited the operation of firing ranges to manufacturing districts…
Suicide Prevention Resources for Shooting Ranges and Retailers
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (“AFSP”) recently announced at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas a partnership to educate the public and industry members about suicide prevention as it relates to firearms. The partnership aims to educate firearm owners about suicide, its warning signs, risk factors and the importance…
ATF Adopts Noteworthy Changes To Form 4473
The ATF has adopted a new Form 4473 that all FFLs must use beginning on January 16, 2017. Several of the changes on the new Form 4473 clarify current laws that already apply to firearm sales made before the revised forms must be used. Two of those changes are of particular relevance. First, the new…
Recent Developments in “Microstamping” Legislation
The Court of Appeals of the State of California, Fifth Appellate District, in National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. v. California, Case No. F072310 (Cal. Ct. App.), recently reversed a lower court’s ruling dismissing the NSSF’s petition to enjoin enforcement of California’s requirement that manufacturers “microstamp” all new semiautomatic pistols sold in the state. “Microstamping” generally…
Federal Appeals Court Hears Challenge To Hotly Contested D.C. Conceal Carry Law
This week, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard oral arguments in two closely-watched cases challenging Washington D.C.’s strict concealed carry laws, Wrenn et al. v. District of Columbia et al., and Grace et al. v. District of Columbia et al. Both cases involve challenges to the District of…
Keeping The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act In Focus
As the 15th Annual Firearms Import/Export Conference confirmed, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) remains dedicated to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement. The FCPA is complex and nuanced but, in a nutshell, prohibits bribes to foreign officials. In April, DOJ announced that it was in the process of dedicating significantly greater resources to the…
Protecting Your Federal Firearms License and Minimizing Violations During a Compliance Conference
Renzulli Law Firm, LLP regularly represents federal firearms licensees who receive a report of violations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) based on a compliance inspection. We recently represented federally licensed firearms dealers in the ATF’s Dallas and Houston Field Divisions with regard to reports of violations they had received at…
Federal Law Opens Door To “Ex Parte” Seizures Under Trade Secrets Act
There is a new and potentially powerful tool available to protect trade secrets – ex parte seizures. The Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), enacted May 11, 2016, implements a federal civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. Among its remedies, the DTSA permits injunctive relief, the recovery of damages for misappropriation, attorney’s fees for…
Hearing Loss Claims in Firearms Litigation
In recent months, we have seen an upward trend in claims being made by individuals alleging hearing loss as a result of firearm noise. Litigants have asserted such claims against firearms manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, as well as shooting ranges and the manufacturers of ammunition, suppressors, hearing protection, and other firearms accessories. Our Firm has…
Successfully Navigating the Complex Maze of Firearm Import and Export Laws
The laws governing the import and export of firearms are complex and regularly changing. Numerous federal agencies, including the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Commerce have jurisdiction regarding the import and export of firearms. Renzulli Law Firm, LLP regularly counsels its firearms industry clients…
U.S. Supreme Court Vacates Decision Upholding Stun Gun Ban
On March 21, 2016 the United States Supreme Court issued a per curiam (“by the Court”) opinion, without full written or oral arguments, in Caetano v. Massachusetts vacating a decision by the Supreme Court of Massachusetts that upheld the conviction of Jaime Caetano for possession of a stun gun. Ms. Caetano had possessed the stun…
SHOT Show 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada
It was another successful SHOT Show for the firearms industry this year. The NSSF reports that it was the second highest attendance total ever – more than 64,000 industry professionals attended the Show. The industry sent a message to its detractors through its robust attendance that it is alive and well and flourishing and will…
Supreme Court Denies Review of Assault Weapons Ban
Supreme Court Denies Review of Assault Weapons Ban On Monday, December 7, 2015, the United States Supreme Court denied review of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuits ruling in Friedman v. City of Highland Park. The case arose out of the City of Highland Parks ordinance prohibiting possession of assault weapons…
Seattle City Council Adopts New Firearm Tax; Court Upholds FL Law Protecting Firearm Owners’ Privacy
Seattle City Council Adopts New Firearm Tax On August 10, 2015 the Seattle City Council adopted two ordinances affecting firearm purchasers and owners. First, the Council unanimously approved a $25 tax on all firearms sold in the city in what it claims to be an effort to combat violent crime. The proposal also includes a…
Texas Governor Signs Open Carry Bill; New “Smart Gun” Bill Introduced
Texas Governor Signs Open Carry Bill; New “Smart Gun” Bill Introduced Texas Governor Signs Open Carry Bill June 15, 2015; Texas Governor Greg Abbot has signed HB 910 (The Texas Open Carry Bill for Concealed Handgun Holders) and SB 11 (the Campus Carry Bill) into law. HB 910 – which will go into effect on…
Equity Firm Offers Cash-Out for Remington Shares; Supreme Court Rules on Felon Firearm Transfers
Firm Offers Cash Out to Investors who Own Shares in Remington Outdoor May 19, 2015; Private equity firm Cerberus Capital issued a letter to its investors on Friday, advising them that they are permitted to sell their stakes in Remington Outdoor (formerly known as Freedom Group). Investors now have thirty days to make a decision…
NY Senate Majority Leader Willing to Revise SAFE Act; NJ Legislators Rethinking “Smart-Gun” Mandate
NY Senate Majority Leader Willing to Revise SAFE Act May 15, 2015; NY Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Long Island) recently stated that he is willing to work with his colleagues in an effort to amend two major parts of the NY SAFE Act – the first being restrictions on passing firearms to family members…
New York Court Orders Release of Firearm Registration Data; 3-D Firearm Designer Sues State Dept
New York Court Orders Release of Firearm Registration Data Judge Thomas J. McNamara (NY Supreme – Albany County) has ruled that the New York State Police must release data regarding the registration of firearms that may qualify as “assault weapons” under the provisions of the NY SAFE Act. The case, Robinson v. Cuomo et al.,…
FL Tightens Backyard Rules; Sweeping Reform in NC; NRA Suit to Continue
Florida Considers Tightening of Backyard Range Rules The Florida House has passed a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to discharge a firearm for recreational purposes in a residential area with a density of one or more housing units per acre. If passed by the Senate (and signed into law), the bill (couched as…
Bill to Eliminate Race Disclosure on 4473s; Video Ad Criticizes Kroger’s Open-Carry Policy
April 16, 2015: Bill Proposes Elimination of Mandatory Race Disclosure for Firearm Sales The Freedom From Intrusive Regulatory Enforcement of Arbitration Registration Mandates (FIREARM) Act was reintroduced this week by Republican Representatives. If passed, the FIREARM Act would eliminate the requirement that firearm dealers submit information about the race of their customers on 4473s. The…
Dem Proposes Tax Credit for Handing Over “Assault Weapons”; 3-D Printed Weapons Ban?
March 9, 2015: Democrat Proposes Tax Credit for Handing Over “Assault Weapons” Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced the “Support Assault Firearm Elimination and Reduction for our Streets Act” (also known as the SAFER Streets Act) Monday. If passed, the bill would provide for a $2,000 refundable tax credit to “assault weapon” owners who turn in…
Anti-Firearm Hoax; Marco Rubio’s Bill; BATFE Raids Home of Texas Judge
States United to Prevent Gun Violence Hoaxes “Customers” Anti-firearm lobbyist group States United to Prevent Gun Violence recently set up a fake firearm retail shop in New York City for purposes of invoking scare tactics upon customers who sought to purchase firearms. When the customers would inquire about specific firearms, or when they would simply…
Anti-Firearm Hoax; Mark Rubio’s Bill; BATFE Raids Home of Texas Judge
States United to Prevent Gun Violence Hoaxes “Customers” Anti-firearm lobbyist group States United to Prevent Gun Violence recently set up a fake firearm retail shop in New York City for purposes of invoking scare tactics upon customers who sought to purchase firearms. When the customers would inquire about specific firearms, or when they would simply…