BECHTELSVILLE, PA (April 23, 2021) — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF) announced that a disbursement of $60,937.95 was paid to Firearms Policy Foundation following a successful class action victory and settlement agreement reached by distinguished Second Amendment attorney Joshua Prince of the Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., of Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, in the case of John Doe v. Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
The case was filed after Monroe County, PA improperly disclosed the private information of applicants for a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF). As part of the approved settlement, the county will cease numerous unnecessary requirements and practices that were previously imposed on LTCF applicants, such as sending un-enveloped postcards containing LTCF information and requiring information or documents not required by the LTCF application, such as tax returns and bills, documentations from the applicant’s doctor, Social Security statements, military discharge paperwork, and information regarding township of residence. The defendants will also be required to annually train all employees involved in the LTCF process regarding the confidentiality of LTCF information.
FPF’s disbursement was part of the funds remaining in the $4 million settlement fund after distributions to attorneys and settlement class members were made.
“After six years of litigation, Monroe County carry license applicants have finally received justice,” said Prince, Chief Counsel of the Firearms Industry Consulting Group. “It was a true honor and privilege to represent the class members in this case to vindicate their rights, to work with Sheriff Ken Morris, who, upon succeeding Sheriff Martin, sought to amicably resolve this matter and ensure that the rights of firearm owners in Monroe County were protected, and to work alongside FPF, whose support was monumental. FPF’s share of the settlement fund will help support future cases to protect the right to keep and bear arms.”
“As he has before, Josh has, once again, created an excellent outcome in successfully defending Pennsylvanians’ privacy rights and the right to keep and bear arms,” said Adam Kraut, FPC’s Senior Director of Legal Operations. “His dedication and tireless efforts have consistently yielded positive results, and Josh’s generosity in naming Firearms Policy Foundation the recipient of settlement funds will allow the Foundation to expand its work to advance the right to keep and bear arms.”
“Not only is Josh an outstanding attorney and fierce defender of the right to keep and bear arms, he is a true partner in our efforts to advance individual liberty, who goes above and beyond for the People and your rights, making possible a significant financial contribution that will allow us to expand our research and litigation efforts in 2021,” said FPF Chairman and FPC President, Brandon Combs. “On behalf of our members, supporters, and team, we thank Mr. Prince for his incredible support, friendship, and advocacy.”
Firearms Policy Coalition and its FPC Law team are the nation’s next-generation advocates leading the Second Amendment litigation and research space. Some FPC legal actions include:
- Challenge to Pennsylvania’s laws completely denying the right to carry to individuals who were previously granted relief from prior non-violent convictions and are not currently prohibited from possessing firearms (Suarez v. Evanchick)
- Challenge to Maryland’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” (Bianchi v. Frosh)
- Challenge to California’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” (Miller v. Calif. Att’y General)
- Challenge to Maryland’s ban on handgun carry (Call v. Jones)
- Challenge to New Jersey’s ban on handgun carry (Bennett v. Davis)
- Challenge to New York City’s ban on handgun carry (Greco v. New York City)
- Challenge to Pennsylvania’s ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Lara v. Evanchick)
- Challenge to California’s handgun “roster”, microstamping, and self-manufacturing ban laws (Renna v. Becerra)
- Challenge to the federal ban on the sale of handguns and handgun ammunition to adults under 21 years of age (Reese v. ATF)
For more on these cases and other legal action initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.
Firearms Policy Foundation (www.firearmsfoundation.org) is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit organization. FPF’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the People’s rights, privileges, and immunities deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition—especially the inalienable, fundamental, and individual right to keep and bear arms.
Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to protect and defend constitutional rights—especially the right to keep and bear arms—advance individual liberty, and restore freedom through litigation and legal action, legislative and regulatory action, education, outreach, grassroots activism, other programs. FPC Law is the nation’s largest public interest legal team focused on Second Amendment and adjacent fundamental rights including freedom of speech and due process, conducting litigation, research, scholarly publications, and amicus briefing, among other efforts.