FLE

Attorney For D.C. in Gun Ban Case Fired Acting D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles has fired the city lawyer who had been preparing to defend the District's longtime ban on handguns before the Supreme Court this spring, a move that some city officials fear could harm the case. Alan B. Morrison, who has argued 20 cases before the high court, was asked to leave his post as special counsel by the end of this week. Morrison had been hired by then-Attorney General Linda Singer and put in charge of arguing the handgun case. Singer resigned two weeks ago. Nickles declined to elaborate on his decision, but Morrison suggested in an interview that he was fired as part of a feud between Nickles and Singer. The case is one of the most important in the city's history, and the court's ruling could have a national impact, legal experts have said....
Dellinger to head D.C. team in handgun case A former acting U.S. solicitor general who is now with a private law firm has been named to defend the District's handgun ban in the U.S. Supreme Court. Walter Dellinger was chosen Thursday by acting D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles. Dellinger was already a member of the legal team working on the handgun case under D.C. special counsel Alan Morrison, who was fired by Nickles last week. Nickles says Dellinger helped Morrison write the brief and will be able to assume the lead role without difficulty....
Judge postpones trial for lawsuit over guns seized after Katrina A federal judge has agreed to postpone a trial for a lawsuit that the National Rifle Association filed against city officials for seizing hundreds of guns in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Last week, NRA attorneys said the lobbying group needs more time to search for hundreds of gun owners whose firearms were confiscated by New Orleans police following the Aug. 29, 2005, hurricane. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier agreed Friday to reschedule a Feb. 19 trial for the case. A new trial date is expected to be picked during a telephone conference with the judge later this month. The NRA and Second Amendment Foundation, a Bellevue, Wash.-based advocacy group, sued New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Police Superintendent Warren Riley over the city's seizure of more than 1,000 guns that weren't part of any criminal investigation after Katrina....
Elderly use canes for self-defence A martial arts expert has set up special walking stick self-defence classes for pensioners. Kevin Garwood, 58, of Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, is showing them how to use their walking sticks to be more confident. And his lessons have already paid off after an old woman fought off two muggers, reports the Daily Mail. Mr Garwood currently teaches three walking stick self-defence classes a week and aims to start more sessions this year. Pupils practice sets of movements and learn simple strangleholds, arm locks and throws, using their walking sticks....Will they ban canes next?