Firearms Law: Prohibited persons, restoration, and gun trust

Sean Healy | Healy Law Offices P.C

Mr. Healy is an attorney in private practice in Tyler, Texas. He is the lead author of the book The Legal Guide to NFA Firearms and Gun Trusts, written with Alan Gassman, Jonathan Blattmachr and several other attorneys and published in 2016. This book was reviewed in the June, 2019 American Rifleman, a magazine which reaches over 2 million readers. It reached #1 on the list of Amazon Bestsellers in the category of Legal Self-Help. Mr. Healy authored a chapter on NFA trusts in the books Texas Perspectives on Firearms Law (2015) and Essentials of Texas Firearms Law (2020) published by the Texas Bar Books.

He is the NFA Editor for Interactive Legal, working with nationally renowned estate planning attorneys to provide NFA  trust forms and supporting knowledge to lawyers throughout the country through their Interactive Legal Suite. Mr. Healy is Texas State Rifle Association’s General Counsel. He has also served as general counsel for two congressional campaigns, and as National Corporate Counsel for American Mensa. He was Course Director for the 2012 and 2013 State Bar Firearms Law Seminars, and has spoken at every annual seminar except one since then. He is scheduled to speak on NFA Trusts at the 2021 NRA National Firearms Law Seminar. He is a mediator for civil, family law, and child protective cases, a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Mediators, and an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and AAA. During law school he served as an appellate advocacy instructor, and he previously served as a college instructor in business law. Firearms instruction: Mr. Healy is also a license to carry instructor, an NRA-Certified Instructor and Training Counselor, with certifications in Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun; Muzzleloading Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun; Metallic Cartridge Reloading and Shotshell Reloading; Home Firearms Safety; and Personal Protection in the Home. He is a Chief Range Safety Officer.

He is a nationally-trained instructor trainer for Texas 4-H Shooting Sports, and is qualified as a force-onforce instructor. Speeches and Publications: Mr. Healy testified before a Senate committee as the expert witness for NRA and TSRA regarding House Bill 823, the predecessor to the Motorist Protection Act. He also testified before a committee of the Texas Senate against several harmful gun bills in 2019.

He now serves as Frontline Activist Leader (formerly Election Volunteer Coordinator) for the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, covering Texas Congressional District 1. He has given numerous speeches, continuing legal education presentations to judges and lawyers, and televised interviews on firearms matters and other subjects, including an extensive interview that aired on CNN. Volunteer Activities: Mr. Healy is a life member of the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation. He served as Republican Party Vice Chairman and General Counsel for Smith County, Texas (2020-21).

He served for eighteen years on the East Texas Friends of NRA Committee. He also served on the Friends of NRA State Fund Committee for North Texas for thirteen years. Mr. Healy represented eight states on the Young Republican National Federation National Committee, and held numerous other state and local offices, including President of the Tyler Young Republicans. He has volunteered on several campaigns, served as a delegate to five Republican Party of Texas state conventions, and served on the RPT Ballot Security Task Force during two elections. He has completed a few campaign schools including the RNC Western Regional Campaign School and ballot security training.

He has also served and as Local Secretary (local President) and certified Proctor for East Texas Mensa. He served as a state officer for years for the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Tyler Jaycees. He served for seven years on the Board of Directors of Azleway, Inc. and its charter school Board of Trustees, including one year as Chairman of the Board. Firearms Competitions and Outside Activities: Mr. Healy has participated in over 150 firearms competitions, including matches organized by the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), and Steel Challenge Association. He is also a private pilot and a Panel Attorney for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Mr. Healy’s law practice focuses on business law, civil litigation, family law, representation of property owners’ associations, and firearms and aviation matters.

Session I – Prohibited Persons and Restoration of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

• Prohibited Persons (prohibited from possessing firearms) | 2:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Under federal law
  • Under state law (Texas as an example)
• Restoring the right to possess firearms | 2:30pm –3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

Session II – Gun Trusts and the Lethal Pitfalls in Drafting Them | 3:10pm – 4:10pm

• Six legal principles of drafting gun trusts | 3:10pm – 3:25pm
• Benefits of a NFA trust | 3:25pm – 3:35pm
• Benefits of a non-NFA gun trust | 3:35pm – 3:45pm
• Administering a gun trust | 3:45pm – 3:55pm
• Avoiding lethal pitfalls when drafting gun trusts | 3:55pm – 4:10pm