Category Archives: Criminal Law

Private sales to Curio and Relic license holders under Virginia’s new universal background check law

Since Virginia’s so-called ‘universal background check’ law went into effect on July 1, 2020, there have been a number of questions about its applicability to different circumstances. I have previously written about whether one could still gift a firearm under … Continue reading

Posted in ATF, Background Checks, BATFE, Black Powder Firearms, C&R, Criminal Law, Curio and Relic, FFL 03, FFL Issues, Private Sales, Universal Background Checks, Virginia Law | Comments Off on Private sales to Curio and Relic license holders under Virginia’s new universal background check law

Can a private seller ship a Curio and Relic firearm directly to an out-of-state C&R FFL holder?

One of my clients called with this question today.  He was selling a firearm that happens to be listed on Section II of the latest Curios and Relics List and the buyer was a C&R FFL holder from another state. … Continue reading

Posted in C&R, Criminal Law, Curio and Relic, Federal Law, FFL 03, FFL Issues, Interstate Firearm Transfers, Private Sales | Comments Off on Can a private seller ship a Curio and Relic firearm directly to an out-of-state C&R FFL holder?

Can those with a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction own muzzle loaders?

This question involves the intersection of two complex areas of firearms law: The federal prohibition triggered by a misdemeanor conviction of a crime of domestic violence; and Whether black powder firearms are considered ‘firearms’ under state and federal law. Let’s … Continue reading

Posted in Black Powder Firearms, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Federal Law, Hunting, MCDV, Muzzle Loading Firearms, Purchasing Firearms, Virginia Law | Comments Off on Can those with a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction own muzzle loaders?

Green card holders and firearms

“May I purchase a firearm if I have a green card?” Some version of this question shows up in my email almost every week. It is hardly surprising since there is a great deal of confusion concerning green card holders and … Continue reading

Posted in 4473, ATF, Background Checks, BATFE, Criminal Law, Federal Law, Green Card Holders, Prohibited Persons, Purchasing Firearms | Comments Off on Green card holders and firearms

Avoiding AOW status with a permanently attached muzzle device on a pistol with a vertical foregrip

In my latest article I discussed how permanently attached muzzle devices become part of the barrel length and overall length of a firearm. With that understanding, a client asked me to revisit my earlier article about vertical foregrips.   As I … Continue reading

Posted in AOW, AR Pistols, ATF, ATF Ruling, Barrel Length, BATFE, CHP, Concealed Handgun Permit, Criminal Law, Federal Law, Firearms Technology Branch, Overall Length (OAL), SBR, Short Barreled Rifles, Short Barreled Shotguns | Comments Off on Avoiding AOW status with a permanently attached muzzle device on a pistol with a vertical foregrip