Supreme Court Rejects Review of Maryland’s Handgun Licensing Law, Upholding Strict Safety Measures

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge to Maryland’s handgun licensing law, leaving in place the state’s stringent rules that require prospective handgun owners to undergo a comprehensive approval process including fingerprinting and firearms training. This decision marked a significant victory for gun control advocates and upheld a prior ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from August 2024. The petition to the Supreme Court was brought by a coalition of gun owners, the pro-firearms group Maryland Shall Issue, and the Montgomery County-based Atlantic Guns store. They contended … Read more

Stolen Goods Recovery Challenges Highlighted by Strict Kansas Pawnshop Regulations

Topeka, Kansas – Stolen goods are proving challenging to reclaim in Kansas, a state where current statutes tend to favor pawnshops over rightful owners. Victims of theft often find themselves powerless in the recovery of their possessions due to a set of laws that place the onus on them to prove that their items were stolen and subsequently sold to pawnshops. These local regulations have sparked concerns and frustrations among residents. Under the law, even if an item can be identified as stolen, proving that a pawnshop knowingly purchased stolen goods is exceedingly difficult. This … Read more

New York Sets Strict 30-Day Data Breach Notification Deadline as Governor Hochul Signs Enhanced Security Measure

Albany, NY — In a significant legislative move, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York signed a pivotal amendment into law on December 24, 2024, strictly revising the state’s protocols for data breach notifications. This new mandate, which takes immediate effect, compels businesses to adhere to stricter notification timelines following an incident involving private data of New York residents. The legislation now requires that any breaches involving personal information must be reported to the affected New Yorkers within thirty days from the date the breach was identified. This directive aims to enhance protections for consumer data … Read more

Vietnam’s Strict New Internet Regulation Sparks Concerns Over Free Speech Rights

Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnam has recently enacted a strict internet regulation law that has sparked widespread concerns over free speech rights. The law, which went into effect this month, mandates all internet companies to remove any content deemed offensive by the Vietnamese government within 24 hours of notification. Companies are also required to store data locally, furnish user information upon government request, and establish representative offices in Vietnam. This move by the Vietnamese authorities mirrors actions taken by other governments in the region to tighten control over digital information and suppress dissent. Critics argue that … Read more