Attorney Matthew Bergstrom served as one of the faculty in the 2nd Annual Firearms Law in Virginia Seminar on October 18, 2021. A recording of the program will be available through Virginia CLE--Continuing Legal Education by the Virginia Law Foundation.
The seminar agenda follows:
9:00 Announcements and Introductions
9:05 Virginia’s Constitutional Right to Bear Arms by Justice Steve R. McCullough, Virginia Supreme Court
The Virginia Bill of Rights, Art. 13, provides that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed….” How has this been construed by the Virginia courts, and to what extent might the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court be persuasive on the scope of the right and the standard of review?
10:15 Overview of Virginia Firearms Laws (New and Existing) by Judge Richard E. Gardiner, Fairfax County Circuit Court
Virginia has long regulated concealed weapons, provided for permits to carry handguns, banned firearms at schools, and restricted possession by felons; more recently, background checks have been expanded and handgun purchases are limited to one per month. The legal environment and practice pointers for prosecutors and defense attorneys will be discussed.
11:30 Gun Trusts by Matthew J. Bergstrom, Arsenal Attorneys
Planning and drafting gun trusts pose unique challenges for the practitioner. Gun trusts, while sometimes confused with conventional living trusts, must be specifically and carefully drafted to avoid causing inadvertent and accidental felonious behavior by grantors, trustees, and beneficiaries of such trusts. An overview of the law, practical tips, and ethical issues involving gun trusts will be covered.
1:00 Federal Firearms Laws by James P. Vann, Associate Chief Counsel, ATF
The federal Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act amount to a complex array of regulation. Discussion will be led by an experienced counsel with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This session will cover the most common aspects of federal firearms law for the practitioner, including:
• Gun Control Act and National Firearms Act
• Persons prohibited from possessing firearms, and how firearms rights can be restored
• Federal regulations of interstate commerce in firearms, including regulation of sales and transfers, and firearm dealer licensing
• Federal regulation of carrying and transportation of firearms
2:45 Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense by Peter D. Greenspun, Greenspun Shapiro PC
Deadly force may be used in justifiable self-defense, but the rules differ depending on place and circumstance. One of Virginia’s preeminent criminal defense attorneys will survey the rules and give practical tips.
4:00 Ethics: The Lawyer as Advocate by Stephen P. Halbrook, Attorney and Author of Firearms Law Deskbook
Professional Responsibility Rule 3, Advocate, requires that claims be meritorious, but allows good faith arguments for reversal of existing law and to test the validity of a ruling. “Second Amendment sanctuaries” raise issues concerning the discretion of Commonwealth’s attorneys to decline to prosecute selected cases, and how counsel may advise public officials regarding whether to enforce laws deemed unconstitutional.
Arsenal Attorneys is a nationwide law firm headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia in the metropolitan Washington, DC. The firm offers serves clients in over 30 states in estate planning, criminal defense, civil litigation, business law, landlord-tenant disputes, real estate, firearms law, restoration of rights, carry permits, and the firm’s proprietary Arsenal Gun Trust. Matthew Bergstrom is the firm’s Managing Attorney, and he is licensed in California, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
This blog is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
