Many gun rights organizations claim to have “insurance” to protect gun owners in the event they have to use deadly force. This type of “insurance” has soared in recent years, as anti-gun zealots have achieved success, particularly in blue states, of getting people who legally use firearms in self-defense arrested, tried, and convicted.
Sometimes called “murder insurance” by critics, who claim it encourages the use of deadly force, such policies have increased in popularity, with about two million people signing up for the protection, according to the Wall Street Journal. Some such insurers claim their membership has doubled in the past two years.
Companies such as the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and Law Shield are two of several offering 2A protection. They offer a variety of services, including bail and criminal defense lawyers. Some even cover the cost of litigating lawsuits brought by “victims” of the shootings.
Some polices cover members charged with other crimes, including threatening someone with a gun, as long as there’s a reasonable self-defense claim. Upgraded plans can include crime scene cleanup costs, TSA-violation expenses, accidental discharge costs, and family coverage for spouses and children. Monthly fees range from about $11 to $59 or more.
Such insurance, however, doesn’t guarantee it will buy you a get-out-of-jail-free card. That is the case of a man named Joshua Huston, where police were called to his Florida home just after 2:00 a.m. on a November night to investigate a shooting. Huston had been outside his house, hoping to catch someone stealing from his property.
Huston had dozed off when he was startled by a man standing only feet away, holding something shiny and yelling at him. Believing the man was possibly carrying a gun and fearing for his life, Huston fired his AR-15 several times, striking the man, who ran away bleeding.
Huston, a member of USCCA, took out a “Post Incident” card issued by the organization and called 911, following the instructions on the card.
“I was attacked, feared for my life, & had to defend myself. Please send BOTH police and an ambulance to this location.”
While Huston was on the phone, his wife called USCCA’s 24-hour hotline’s Critical Response Team.
Less than one hour later, a USCCA attorney called to represent him. That was as good as it got.
After Huston was arrested and charged with attempted murder, USCCA’s lawyer told him he had a complex case and that he should plead guilty to a lesser charge. Believing he was a victim of bad advice, Huston went out and found a new lawyer who got the charges dismissed. Although USCCA paid for the new lawyer, Huston quit his membership shortly after his legal ordeal ended.
“I knew I was innocent–there was no way I was going to take a guilty plea,” said Huston, 49, a disabled Air Force veteran.
The companies conduct marketing campaigns that include video testimonials from people who shot in self-defense and got off with the assistance of those companies. Sometimes, they conduct free seminars and even have gun giveaways.
“There’s literally thousands of cases that have gone to trial that we have defended our members and exonerated them from charges,” said Tim Schmidt, USCCA’s founder and owner.
That may be true, but the truth is in the details. The WSJ noted that the fine print of their policies allows these companies wide latitude to reject members’ claims, with some even conducting their own investigations to decide if the case is legitimate. Some plans don’t cover a member if they’re intoxicated, or the shooting involves a family member. While Huston could select his own attorney, some companies restrict members to their own attorneys.
Under USCCA policy, coverage ends if a member claims self-defense but is convicted of a violent crime. The issue with this is that an overzealous prosecutor (see Kyle Rittenhouse) can use politically motivated reasoning to try someone for a violent crime in a clear self-defense case. Rittenhouse was exonerated, but it just as easily could have gone the other way.
Likewise, USCCA can go after a client for legal fees or other expenses, although Schmidt says that has never been done.
That brings us to a friend of Law Enforcement Today, “Right To Bear.”
“Right To Bear, is an American self-defense association that is dedicated to preserving individual liberty for all freedom-loving people, in the United States, who desire to defend their family with the legal protection necessary, in an era of elites trying to control their lives.” So says their Mission Statement.
Right to Bear doesn’t condone unnecessary or excessive force, or illegal acts of aggression. They exist to help gun owners “stay safe, legal, and prepared” as “you exercise your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”
“We at Right to Bear promote freedom and the safe and legal usage of firearms by law-abiding citizens. The self-defense protection we sell does not protect you in cases of unnecessary or excessive force, or illegal acts of aggression. We protect responsible gun owners who are forced to use their firearm in cases of self-defense.”
Right to Bear offers several benefits, including:
- Self-defense training videos
- Firearm education and awareness training
- Monthly newsletter
- Legal support with speed dial access
- Discounts with industry partners on various products related to self-defense and firearms
With crime on the rise and with criminal illegal aliens running rampant nationwide, the ability to protect yourself has never been more important. Being victimized a second time through an often-unwarranted legal proceeding can be almost as bad as the initial crime. Thirty-eight percent of assaults occur during home invasions. There are over 4,500 home burglaries daily in the United States.
The benefits of using Right to Bear’s legal protection program include:
- It is NOT a reimbursement policy. Everything is provided upfront
- Legal protection and financial security by providing civil and criminal defense
- RTB offers additional benefits to ensure members are fully supported in an act of self-defense
- Protects members from using their legally-owned firearm, with or without a concealed carry permit
- A “robust” training curriculum to help support members BEFORE a self-defense incident occurs
- RTB provides legal defense in the event of a self-defense incident while home and umbrella policies DO NOT provide self-defense liability coverage.
Right to Bear also offers a legal plan for houses of worship except in New York, New Jersey, and Washington State. Benefits protect volunteer security team members against civil or criminal action resulting from a self-defense incident or an incident in defense of others while serving in their house of worship.
Plans are available for only $17/month or $185/year. Upgrades are also available for an additional member, multi-state protection that covers all 50 states, bail bond coverage (up to $100,000), and minor household children coverage. Initial coverage is for 14 months and will auto-renew for the following 12 months. Members are notified before renewal.
