ATF updates guidelines to include same-sex marriage
Attorney General Eric Holder delivers remarks during the DoJ’s Pride Observance event in June 2013. (Photo credit: DoJ)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working to “recognize same-sex marriages as broadly as possible,” a directive released this week by Attorney General Eric Holder.
“The Department (of Justice) is committed to ensuring equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation, and to using every tool and legal authority available to combat discrimination and safeguard the rights of all Americans,” Holder wrote in a memo to Justice Department employees.
In order to comply, the ATF updated its guidelines to interpret “‘spouse’ … to mean a same sex or opposite sex spouse whose marriage is valid in the jurisdiction in which it was performed.”
Now if a person who owns a licensed firearms or explosives business dies, his or her surviving spouse, same sex or opposite sex, may carry on the business for the remainder of the term of the license. That is, of course, as long as the surviving spouse is not a convicted felon or has some other legal issue making them ineligible to obtain the license.
Also, the license must be endorsed by the ATF within 30 days from the date the surviving spouse begins to carry on the business.
However, turning over a licensed firearm business to a surviving spouse is just a small part of the DoJ’s plan to broaden its interpretation of marriage.
According to the memo, same-sex couples can receive all benefits afforded to opposite-sex couples, and can file for bankruptcy jointly, decline the right to testify in a civil or criminal case if it might violate his or her marital privilege, and, if he or she is a federal inmate, receive visitations from their spouse.
The directive follows the supreme court case United States vs Windsor, which declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. The Windsor case essentially said that the federal interpretation of “marriage” and “spouse” also applies to same-sex marriages.
While the DoJ implements the changes, the definition will not cover domestic partnerships or civil unions.
The post ATF updates guidelines to include same-sex marriage appeared first on Guns.com.
Source: http://www.guns.com/2014/02/13/atf-acknowledges-sex-marriage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atf-acknowledges-sex-marriage
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,708,713,272 |
| Stories: | 8,451,134 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
