Lawyers that specialize in gun laws

[Ryanxia]

It occurred to me that everyone that is active in firearms (depending on State) should have the contact info of a lawyer that specializes in gun laws. (ie. home invasion, gun that was sold used in a crime, open carry dispute, etc.)

Any tips on how to go about researching said lawyers on a local basis?

I just feel its prudent to have the info in the unlikely case one needs to contact a lawyer, nothing shady

 

[GRIZ22]

You really don't need a "gun lawyer" for all those things you listed. You need a good criminal defense lawyer, a lawyer who can get your charges dismissed or reduced to the equivalent of spitting on the sidewalk so you don't go to trial. Many of what people call "gun lawyers" are not really "gun lawyers". Alan Gura, who represented Heller and McDonald, is not really a "gun lawyer". He is a young and extremely talented civil law and civil rights litigator who has a big interest the 2A. He may do a decent job defending you in a criminal case but would probably suggest a criminal defense lawyer to you.

A "gun lawyer" is needed if there are technical questions about the law. For examplae "is this gun an assault weapon under CA,NJ,NY law?".

Many suggest finding a "gun lawyer" and put him on a retainer. If the guy takes anything less than about $10,000 to retain him (in an urban area anyway) he ain't much of a lawyer. Forget about the retainer thing. If you're involved in a shooting and in jail you're not going anywhere until the next morning anyway. Call that criminal defense lawyer you found then.

Talk with other lawyers. Local leos are valuable sources of information here as they know which lawyers always get real criminals off.

 

[19-3Ben]

I have an excellent guy in Connecticut if anyone needs. His office is in East Hartford but I believe he'll travel around a bit. I am an attorney, and until recently he and I worked in the same firm. He's top notch, very professional, and a very nice guy.
Feel free to PM me for his contact info.

If you get in trouble because of firearms issues, you will be criminally charged. That means, as GRIZ22 mentioned, you really need a good criminal defense lawyer.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Find a criminal lawyer, talk with the guy, and put his cell number in your phone. (not his office number, not a lawyer referral service, not your buddy whose wife works at a law office). Criminal lawyers are like guns, when you need one, you need it ASAP. After 911 call your lawyer. Most criminal lawyers expect to get calls at all hours, and will be happy to give you their number and take your call at 2:00am.

If you know anyone who is a cop or an attorney ask them what criminal attorney they would use. Stay away from the guys that do criminal, foreclosure defense, personal injury, tax, divorce and ERISA. If you don't know any attorneys go down to the local courthouse one morning and watch a morning calendar. See who has a good relationship with the judge.

 

[beatledog7]

Many state bars have rules governing what areas of law, and under what conditions, attorneys may claim to specialize. That doesn't mean if an attorney does not publicly claim specialization in gun law that he or she is not an expert; it does mean that if an attorney in your state is claiming to specialize in gun law, it behooves a potential client to make sure that claim is valid and legal.

 

[Curator]

Patric Buckley, Ft. Myers Florida. Not a "criminal defense" lawyer but a "self-defense" lawyer.

 

[Art Eatman]

In Texas, I'd check with the Texas State Rifle Association. In your state, check with your own state organization.

 

[CoRoMo]

What I posted the last time someone here made a thread on this...

This is a good reason to get involved or connected with your state's pro-gun organizations. Here we have RMGO, I also am a member of a large gun club. If I already did not have an attorney colleague, and I was completely in the dark about it, I'd contact one of the two firearm organizations that I am currently connected with, and ask them to suggest an attorney or law firm. Rather than flipping through the yellowpages, start with a gun organization. If you've ever taken a CCW class, you might also ask the people who did the course to suggest an attorney.

If you do this now, you could go ahead and toss some business to the attorney/firm in the form of a Will or LLC, etc. That way you've begun a working relationship.

Some (few) CCW courses have an attorney present for Q&A. Such an attorney would be the ideal resource.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks all. Coromo - that's a good idea, I took my CCW course through my local gun club, I'll probably start there and see if anyone has already done the leg work for me

 

[baylorattorney]

In texas there are some experts. There are many many nuances in gun laws and a specialist is highly recommended by this attorney when you are facing firearms specific charges. Just google "gun lawyer" for your state or "gun lawyer specialist". It is astonishing how many lawyers who are certified in criminal defense know nothing of the 1968 legislation much less the AWB (assault weapons bill/ban). It's complex legislation requiring highly specialized litigation.

Google scholar is a good database to search for astute authors or bloggers who know the law and lawyers involved in firearms litigation.

 

[andrewstorm]

gun law

Google" Defending Federal Firearms Cases" although this text is for defence attorneys on fed cases It lays out the defences from prosecution,for gun violations.

 

[mljdeckard]

In Utah, we have a pro-gun attorney (who is also an IDPA grand master) who has written three volumes of common-language interpretation of federal, state, and local gun laws. I have met with him and arranged that if I am ever involved in a defensive shooting, I will call him first. (His name is Mitch Vilos, his books are "Utah Gun Laws: Pancho's Wisdom", volumes I, II, and III, last I checked.)

 

[jahwarrior]

national directory: http://www.theshootersbar.org/

some pro-gun lawyers in PA:

Jon Steven Mirowitz
161 E Duncannon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA19120
215-324-0603

Keith S. Grube
Attorney at Law
2 Penn Center
1500 JFK Blvd., Ste. 200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 854-4006

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Expungements, Firearms License (LTCF related issues), UFA and NFA.

Bar admissions: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, US District Court for the District of NJ.

RKBA Organizational Memberships: National Rifle Association Member and Certified Instructor.



Philip G. Kline
Attorney at Law
519 Juniper Street, Quakertown, PA 18951
Phone: (215) 538-4444
Fax: (215) 538-0140

Areas of practice: NFA issues, NICS denials, zoning, estate admin. & planning, civil litigation, defense of misdemeanors & summary offenses.

Bar admissions: PA (active) NJ (inactive)

RKBA Organizational Memberships: NRA member.



J. Michael McCormick, Attorney at Law
314 Center Avenue, PO Box 64
Verona, (Allegheny County) PA 15147
Phone: (412) 828-8490
Internet email address: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mccorlaw.com

Areas of practice: Criminal Defense; Civil Litigation; Appellate Courts; Estates; Real Estate; Bankruptcy.

Bar admissions: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Western District Court of Pennsylvania.

RKBA Organizational Memberships: The Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association; GOA; NRA.



Joshua Prince
Prince Law Offices, P.C.
646 Lenape Rd
Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Phone Number: 610-845-3803
Fax Number: 610-845-3903
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.PrinceLaw.com/ and http://www.PaFirearmsLawyer.com/

Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, US District Court for the Eastern District of PA

Areas of Practice: Practicing firearms law at the state and federal level for both individuals and Federal Firearms Licensees. Individuals: National Firearms Act, PA Uniform Firearms Act, PICS Denials/Challenges, Relief from Firearms Disabilities, Gun/NFA Trusts, Estate Planning and Administration, Corporate Planning, 1983 (Civil Rights) Litigation, Criminal Charging, Expungements, Pardons. FFLs: Procurement of FFL, Compliance Inspections, Revocations, Forfeiture actions, Zoning, Range Implementation, Corporate Structure

RKBA Organizational Memberships: National Rifle Association Life Member, JPFO, GOA, FOAC, PAFOA, AR15.com.

Michael P. Gottlieb, Esquire
Vangrossi & Recchuiti
319 Swede Street, Norristown, PA 19401
610-279-4200 (office)
610-279-4306 (fax )



Fred D. Hummel / Attorney at Law
111 West Union Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767
Phone: 814-938-9166 Fax: 814-938-9160
[email protected]
Criminal, General Practice



Law Offices of Randall T Hetrick
123 N Diamond St
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: 724-662-1750 Fax: (724) 662-4088