BREAKING NEWS--ARLINGTON, VA: Sheriff David Clarke of Milwaukee will be appearing as an honored guest at the National Capital Friends of NRA banquet on Thursday, May 18 in Arlington, VA at the Sheraton Pentagon City. Advanced purchase of tickets is required.

Sheriff Clarke has been a strong national champion of the Second Amendment and of the law enforcement community. He currently serves as a member of the National Rifle Association's (NRA) board of directors.  

In February of this year, Sheriff Clarke published the book, "Cop Under Fire: Moving Beyond Hashtags of Race, Crime Politics for a Better America." 

Sheriff Clarke has become a hero

to Americans for his service, leadership, and

tenacious defense of the US Constitution.

The National Capital Friends of NRA is a community of Second Amendment supporters in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Their primary purpose is fundraising for public interest grants under the auspices of the NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This year the Friends of NRA program celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Over those years, more than 20,000 Friends of NRA events nationwide have raised nearly $800 million to be used for public interest grants.

Recipients of NRA Foundation grants include youth shooting programs, law enforcement, conservation groups, hunter safety activities, the National Firearms Museum, and numerous other educational programs. Much of the money raised at Friends of NRA events is allocated to grants within the the local committee's state.

The National Capital Friends of NRA banquet will feature a VIP reception, dinner, and auction. Other honored guests expected to attend are Congressman Dave Brat, Virginia Delegate Dave LaRock, National Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson, Arsenal Inc. CEO Vartan Barsoumian, GEMTECH CEO Ron Martinez, Silencer Shop CEO Dave Matheny, Research Director of the Independence Institute Dave Kopel, and activist Martha Boneta.

Congressman Brat will receive an award for his leadership as a founding member of the Second Amendment Caucus in the US House of Representatives.

Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.friendsofnra.org/eventtickets/Events/Details/48?eventId=54219

For press and other inquiries, call 703-291-3312.

Arsenal Attorneys is proud to announce internationally renowed firearms expert Rick Vasquez has formally joined the firm's team of experts. Rick will provide non-attorney consulting services to the firm's clients, including private individuals, manufacturers, and governments worldwide.

"Rick Vasquez has provided high value guidance to Arsenal Attorneys' clients who are concerned with compliance with ever-changing, complex firearms regulations," said Arsenal Attorneys' Managing Attorney Matthew Bergstrom. "We are proud to formally make him a member of our team."

Rick is a leading specialist in firearms technology, regulations, and tactics. He is available as a technical consultant, expert witness, security advisor, tactical instructor, and compliance specialist.

Previously Rick spent 15 years with the BATFE, where he served as acting Branch Chief of the Firearms Technology Branch (FTB). Prior to ATF, Rick served as a firearms instructor in the Diplomatic Security Service. During his distinguished career as a US Marine, Rick served as a weapons instructor and as detachment commander of the Marine Embassy Guard in Moscow.

Here is a small sample of Rick's accomplishments and skills:

• Expert witness in over 40 Federal and state court trials
• Instructor for Interstate Nexus
• Distinguished High Power Rifle Shooter
• Previous FFL Holder
• Certified armorer for Ruger, Glock, Smith and Wesson, and Heckler & Koch
• Advanced training in manufacturing and history of Marlin, Savage, H&R Inc., Winchester, Mossberg, Springfield Armory, Wilson Tools, Sig, Glock, Walther, Mauser, and others.
• Knowledgeable in Principles of Acoustics and the Measurement of Sound
• Delivered training in the recognition of silencers/silencer components and served as an expert in the classification of silencers and silencer components under federal statutes
• Author of numerous training lesson plans in a variety of firearms subjects
• Firearms instructor and security advisor to foreign government personnel, including France, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Canada, Belize, Jamaica, Curacao and Guatemala
• Conversant in all aspects of the National Firearms Act (NFA)
• Knowledgeable in the requirements of importing firearms and firearms components, including ITAR
• Recipient of Public Service Award from the United States Attorney in the 4th district
• Recipient of ATF’s Distinguished Service Medal
• Recipient of numerous letters of appreciation from ATF, FBI, and foreign law enforcement

Contact Arsenal Attorneys to discuss how we can help you with your technical or legal matters related to firearms.

The conviction of former Marine Hisashi Pompey is the latest reminder of the importance of understanding different states' firearms laws before traveling.

Over six years ago, Pompey, a Virginia resident and Marine Corps military policeman, had visited New Jersey--armed. Unbeknownst to Pompey, the gun he legally owned and carried in Virginia was unlawful to possess in New Jersey. He was arrested after his friend allegedly took Pompey's holstered pistol following an altercation at a night club. Pompey was charged and a jury convicted him of felony possession of an unlawful firearm. He was due to report to jail just over a week ago for a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison. Fortunately, Governor Chris Christie commuted his sentence; however, as a convicted felon, Pompey may not possess a firearm without a pardon by the New Jersey governor.

To learn more about this case, and to see an interview of Arsenal Attorneys' George Lyon, see this video from Channel WUSA-9 in Washington, DC.

We continue to receive questions about 'solvent traps' ostensibly sold as kits attached to a gun's muzzle to catch cleaning materials and debris. In January of this year ATF stepped up enforcement by shutting down solvent trap companies because, ATF alleged, they had intended the solvent traps to be silencers. Like wrist braces, Can Cannons, and silencer wipes, this is another case of ATF flip flopping. The public must stay informed about ATF policies. An item assumed to be legal to buy today, could later be recategorized as an NFA firearm requiring registration.

ATF issued a letter explaining its enforcement was based on 'constructive intent.' Here is an excerpt:

The stated intent of a solvent trap is to catch and trap gun cleaning solvent during bore cleaning operations commonly performed on firearms. Solvent traps do attach to the muzzle of a firearm but do not have any design features intended to allow a bullet to pass through them. Since as originally manufactured they are not intended to silence, muffle or diminish the report of a portable firearm they are not silencers as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(24) and thus also are not firearms as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(7).

However, if the solvent trapped was redesigned or utilized to assemble a device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm or if intent was demonstrated to use the device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, the solvent trap would be classified as a “firearm silencer” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) and as a “firearm” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3)(C) and 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(7).

This issue demonstrates the burden on the public to keep alert of changes in ATF policy. To stay informed about firearms law and regulations, subscribe to Arsenal Attorneys email newsletter by completing the subscription form at the bottom of our home page. You can also follow us on Facebook. 

Come to the National Capital Friends of NRA banquet on May 18!

On April 3rd, ATF announced a major reorganization of the NFA Division. This could be significant news because outside observers have been looking for some indication of what would happen to the NFA Division after it completes its current backlog of applications for NFA firearms.

The backlog is a result of the rush of applicants who submitted NFA registrations before the executive action known as '41F' took effect on July 13, 2016--and thereby avoid fingerprinting and photographs. Industry observers were concerned ATF would reduce personnel of the NFA Division once the 41F backlog declines. Thus, the current low volume of post-41F applications could experience the same slow processing times becuase NFA Division would have fewer staff.

Instead of a reduction, ATF announced the creation of two branches within the NFA Division. The Industry Processing Branch (NFA IPBD) will process applications from the private sector. The Government Support Branch (NFA GSB) will handle SOT applications, government applications, law enforcement, etc. Additionally a new NFA Division Staff Program Office will handle inquiries, data collection, and FOIA requests.

ATF's objectives? Better oversight, reduced processing times, and efficiency. Time will tell.

Currently, the firearms industry, particularly the silencer segment, is experiencing a steep decline in demand. Bargains are becoming more frequent. Once the public observes quicker NFA approvals from ATF, demand for silencers, etc., will increase, and the bargains will disappear. Consequently, this could be the right time to buy NFA firearms to take advantage of lower prices and faster approvals.

Come to the National Capital Friends of NRA banquet on May 18!

People obviously focus on federal law when obtaining suppressors, short barrel rifles, machine guns, etc., because these firearms are regulated by a federal agency (BATFE) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). State law is usually ignored except to confirm NFA firearms are legal to possess in a given jurisdiction. Unfortunately, people often overlook the importance of state law concerning the duration of their NFA trust. What's worse is that most gun trusts are designed to terminate regardless of whether state law would allow a trust to continue.