About American News Network

Attorney Rachel M. Baird

Following her graduation from Yale Law School in 1992, Ms. Baird worked as an assistant attorney general and then as an assistant state’s attorney representing the state of Connecticut in civil and criminal matters, respectively. Her background includes graduation from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, during a six year enlistment in the United States Air Force. While in the military, Ms. Baird began her undergraduate education at the University of Maryland, European Campus, in Germany. She continued her education at the University of South Carolina when she was transferred to Shaw Air Base, in Sumter, South Carolina. After an honorable discharge from the military, Ms. Baird completed a degree in International Studies, magna cum laude, at the University of South Carolina and applied to and graduated from Yale Law School.

Ms. Baird’s employment as an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant State’s Attorney for the State of Connecticut prior to entering private practice provides her with the background, education, and experience necessary to represent and advise individuals on a wide variety of civil, criminal and administrative topics.

Since 2007, Attorney Baird’s law practice has evolved and expanded in representing individuals and groups in a variety of  civil, criminal and administrative cases where firearm(s) are involved.


Edward Peruta

Born, raised and educated in Wethersfield, CT, Mr. Peruta enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and participated in combat while serving in  Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.  Upon his discharge, he worked as Wethersfield Police Dispatcher and Police Officer.  As a vocal member of society, Mr. Peruta is no stranger to government policies, regulations, and red tape.

In the mid 1970s Mr. Peruta’s interests turned to news and politics which led him to become involved in local, state, and federal issues which caused him to form American News and Information Services, a news gathering organization.

Mr. Peruta has on several occasions assisted attorneys in obtaining public information and performed as a legal investigator on a variety of cases.

In 1991, American News expanded to Cable Television productions on the Cox Communications system where he produced a variety of live and taped telephone call-in programs.

Mr. Peruta’s involvement in Second Amendment issues began in the summer of 2007 though his involvement in several firearm-related cases in the state of Connecticut.

Since 2007, Mr. Peruta has been associated with Attorney Rachel M. Baird in Torrington, Connecticut where he currently serves as a Legal Investigator for Attorney Baird.

In addition to his work in Connecticut, Mr. Peruta is a plaintiff in the case of Peruta v. San Diego which arose from a denial of his application to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Peruta in response to the denial, filed a federal cause of action alleging Second Amendment violations against San Diego County based on unconstitutional restrictions imposed on his right to carry outside the home for self defense.

On February 13, 2014, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided in a landmark decision that Mr. Peruta (and Californians) do not need to show ‘good cause’ in making application for permits, effectively forcing California counties to become “shall issue” instead of “may issue” jurisdictions.

 


Matt Tyszka

Matt Tyszka is a Retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Connecticut State Police and attorney.