Written By:  Anthony Pallone

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment to a defense spending bill which would have allowed a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also conceal his weapon in another state.  The amendment was only two votes short of the required sixty needed for approval and opposes a recent trend towards increased gun rights.  Earlier this year Congress voted to allow people to carry loaded weapons into national parks and Congress has also ignored recommendations from President Obama to renew an expired ban on military-style weapons.

The promoters of the concealed weapons amendment, the NRA and Gun Owners of America, and its sponsor, Sen. John Thune, argue that the proposed amendment would not create a national carry permit and that out of state visitors would still have to obey the restrictions of that state.  However, opponents of the amendment point to the varying prerequisite conditions that exist in the 48 states with concealed weapon permits and emphasize the dangerous possibility of a state having to accept gun carriers from states with few or no restrictions.  Gun control advocates also argue that the proposed amendment would infringe on states’ rights by overriding the laws of 11 states, including New York, which do not give full faith and credit to carry permits of other states.

The United States is divided on the issue of gun control.  Many Americans passionately protect their Second Amendment right to bear arms, believing that the ability to protect oneself is not limited by state boundaries.  On the other hand, others push for more restrictive gun control legislation in order to prevent gun violence.  Enforcing the limitations of gun rights while safeguarding one’s civil liberties is a daunting task; the attorneys of Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC are committed to vigorous advocacy in the area of civil rights and have long protected the rights of their clients.  To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced civil rights attorneys, call 1-800-585-4658.

Written By: Rodrigo C. Tordecilla

In a recent speech before the NAACP Convention, President Obama told attendees that “an African-American child is roughly five times as likely as a white child to see the inside of a prison.” Unfortunately for a Harvard Scholar, this statistic became a reality. A few hours before President Obama made this statement, Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr., a distinguished professor at Harvard University and considered one of the most powerful and influential black scholars in U.S. history, was arrested.

Gates had returned from a research trip to China only to find the front door to his Harvard-owned house jammed shut. His driver helped him in trying to open the door, but by the time Gates was on the phone with his leasing company, a policeman had arrived after a neighbor spotted two men looking as if they were breaking into the house. Supposedly upon arrival, the policeman asked Gates to step outside, but Gates refused. The officer entered the home and asked for Gates’ ID, which he initially refused to show, and finally had him arrested for allegedly “exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior.”  Gates said that he in fact did show the officer his ID and asked the officer to identify himself. He refused and proceeded to arrest Gates. The charge against Gates was eventually dropped and the city of Cambridge issued a statement calling the incident “regrettable and unfortunate.”

It is argued that had Gates been a white professor, he would not have been arrested nor would his neighbors have alerted the police. His arrest has called the attention of individuals who are against the notion that America can now be considered a “post-racial paradise,” especially because the nation’s president is black. Until such incidents cease to occur, race will still remain an issue and paradise will continue to be out of reach.

It truly is sad and unfortunate when individuals are subjected to racism or discrimination, especially in a nation that was created on premises such as equal rights for all. The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have fought against discrimination for over two decades with much success. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, call 1-800-585-4658 to schedule an appointment for free consultation.

By Karen Best

The NAACP celebrates its 100th anniversary this week.  In honor of this historic occasion the organization is holding their Centennial Convention in New York from July 11-16, 2009. The purpose of the convention is to establish policies and programs of action for the ensuing year. Numerous political figures such as, General Colin Powell, Rev. Al Sharpton, New York Governor David Patterson and President Barack Obama are scheduled speakers.

The NAACP is the oldest, largest and most recognized civil rights organization. Their mission has been to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred or racial discrimination. Over the course of its 100 years the NAACP has tackled issues including lynching, segregation, voting rights and civil rights inside and outside the courtroom.

With many of the active members getting older and the election of the first African American President there have been assertions that the NAACP is no longer needed. Rep. Charles Rangel echoed the sentiments of many by saying “You bet your life we do”. Attorney General Eric Holder followed Rep. Rangel by saying “the country has made enormous progress”, but he warned Obama’s election is not the endpoint.

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC agrees. For more than two decades we have been championing the rights of employees and fighting discrimination in the workplace. If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, call Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

By Karen Best

In less than a week, two separate juries found that Suffolk County discriminated against two of their own officers. On Thursday a Central Islip jury awarded former Suffolk County police officer, Mathew Sforza, $450,000 in compensatory damages. Sforza’s lawsuit alleged he was discriminated against because of his disability.

Over the course of his 15 year career, Sforza suffered back injuries in the line of duty. During the time of the injuries Sforza did take necessary leave off from work. When Sforza returned he not only wanted to continue doing his civic duties but he also wanted to be promoted. He took the necessary civil service exam to become a sergeant and scored higher than the majority of his fellow officers. Sforza had no civilian or interoffice complaints and he was just as productive as his colleagues.

To Sforza’s surprise he was passed up for a promotion not once but three times. Officers who scored lower on the exam and had spotty work records were given promotions over him. When Sforza inquired about the situation he was told he might get injured again and if promoted would retire with a disability pension.

Shocked and devastated Sforza turned to Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC. Represented by Rick Ostrove, the lead trial counsel for the firm, Sforza had his day in court and a jury of his peers also believed he was discriminated against.

Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC is an established employment and civil rights law firm representing victims of discrimination throughout Long Island, the entire New York City area, and nationwide. We understand the distinction between the words, “inability” and “disability” and have been working to get that message across to employers for more than two decades. If you believe you are a victim of discrimination call Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free and confidential consultation.

Written By: Rodrigo C. Tordecilla

Another tragedy struck the country last week when former NFL star and 2003 NFL Co-MVP Steve McNair was murdered at a condominium McNair rented with a friend. His death was ruled as a homicide earlier but it is now considered to have been a murder-suicide.

Sahel Kazemi, McNair’s twenty-year-old girlfriend (whom police now believe was responsible for shooting him four times while he was sleeping before shooting herself), was said to have been distraught about accumulating financial burdens from two separate car payments and higher rent prices. She was also bothered by the belief that McNair was having an affair with a second woman according to friends.

Her family told reporters that Kazemi was so confident McNair was divorcing his wife that she was ready to sell her furniture and move in with him. However, McNair’s wife stated that she had no knowledge of Kazemi at all and it was also discovered that no records of divorce proceedings have surfaced. The McNairs have four children together.

Families that experience such losses sometimes have an uncertain future. The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, specialize in estates and make sure that these families are well taken care of. To schedule an appointment for free consultation regarding estate planning, please call 1-888-5-JOBLAW (1-800-585-4658).

Watch the video on FoxNews.com of Lenard Leeds of Leeds Morelli & Brown discussing the details of Michael Jackson’s estate.