My son killed his first buck with the same rifle I used to kill my first deer when I was about his age. It was a great day. This is the picture we took to memorialize it. That true story inspired me to write a law review article I called, “The Firearm That Isn’t: Silencers […]
Father and Son in a Field Read More »
If you have no doubt that 12 months equals 1 year, you probably don’t suffer from being a lawyer. Sometimes the law can seem pretty silly. I guess lawyers can seem silly, too. We get stereotyped for answering every question with, “It depends.” But here is a great example of why that affliction nags us.
12 Months ≠ 1 Year Read More »
This is a story about great legal training. But it starts with a snowstorm and McDonald’s breakfast burritos. Monday, March 3, 2014. Federal government offices in D.C. were closed for a snow day but I was headed in anyway. Back then I ate a lot of McDonald’s. Like every morning. The drive-thru by my house
Snowstorm Burritos Read More »
“Thomas Chittum, a former ATF official and a University of Nevada-Las Vegas adjunct law professor, said the relationship between federal authorities and gun sellers should be more cooperative than adversarial. ‘The reality is there are red flags that authorities will never see on paperwork,’ Chittum said, stressing the need for sellers’ input. He added, ‘Most
AP on Straw Purchases Read More »
Like “tropical flavored Skittles” is my favorite new way for police to describe a suspect’s shoes. When I was a kid, you might throw eggs or toilet paper at the house of someone you didn’t like. Luis A. Chavez Grana decided shooting at the house was better, so that’s what he did. ShotSpotter heard it
Tropical Flavored Skittles Read More »
I’ve written before about the dangers of celebratory gunfire but as this court notes, “this dangerous practice can have tragic results in other ways.” On New Year’s Eve in 2021 (soon to be 2022), James Williams was celebrating in his back yard by firing his Ruger AR-556 (with 50-round drum mag) into the air. His
Deadly Celebration Read More »
I was invited to be on Citizens National Bank of Somerset’s 2026 Economic Advisory Committee. Very cool of Shawn Daugherty to think of me. CNB is what a bank should be. It helped me build the home of my dreams. It helped me work out some logistics when I started my own law practice. And
CNB Economic Advisory Board Read More »
How is an inline muzzleloader like a taser? Read “The Evolving Legal Definition of ‘Firearm’” to find out. Thanks to the University of Wyoming College of Law’s Firearms Research Center for publishing my article on its Forum.
Evolving Legal Definition of “Firearm” Read More »
From the University of Wyoming College of Law’s Firearms Research Center: The Firearms Research Center recently hosted a Virtual Seminar featuring Tom Chittum, law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and former senior ATF official, on the federal legal framework governing the manufacturing of firearms. In the seminar, Tom discusses the National Firearms
The Law of Making Firearms Read More »
In 2021, I gave a presentation on the future of police tech that I called “Casings, Cameras, and Crumbs.” It was at the French Embassy (which was super cool!) and hosted by the Government Business Executive Forum (GBEF). I was introduced by my good friend Adam S. Lee. The point of the “crumbs” in that
Technological Crumbs Read More »
