BELLEVUE, WA – Mark Barnes, a well-known attorney in the firearms community with national and international connections, has been recognized for his efforts by the Second Amendment Foundation, which honored him with the Global Leadership Award for 2023.
“A lot of people don’t realize how much the Second Amendment Foundation gets engaged in international activities,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb.
Barnes heads the Washington, D.C.-based Mark Barnes & Associates, described on its website as a “boutique law firm focused on firearms law.” Barnes is an expert on firearms import and export laws and regulations, and federal, state and local firearms business registration and licensing. His firm offers expert guidance to companies involved in international firearms business.
While announcing the award, Gottlieb noted that SAF is a member of the executive committee of the World Forum for Shooting Activities and is a charter member of the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights. His wife, SAF Vice President on International Projects Julianne Hoy Versnel, was just elected to chair the World Forum’s Image Committee.
“Mark Barnes gave his expertise to the international civil right to defense of self and family through his selfless work with the World Forum on Shooting Activities,” she said. “As one of the founders of WFSA in 1996, he gave his time and talent to defend the civil rights of firearms ownership internationally while serving on its Executive Committee for 27 years.”
Barnes’ expertise can be crucial in that arena, Gottlieb said.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Mark’s background, experience and knowledge working in the national and international arena,” Gottlieb observed. “Mark truly deserves an award for Global Leadership, because this is precisely what he has been providing to the firearms community for many years.”