Kirk W. Evans, President of Texas & U.S. Law Shield, wants every law-abiding gun owner in the country to become educated about how they can get entangled in the legal system — and in the process lose thousands of dollars in legal fees, fines, civil judgments, or worse, their freedom.
“We have good, honest gun owners tell us every day that the 2nd Amendment is their carry permit,” Evans said. “And we heartily agree that the 2nd Amendment protects your unalienable right to own a firearm for self-defense and other purposes.”
“What the 2nd Amendment doesn’t protect,” he said, “is what happens to you when you actually use your firearm in self defense. Self-defense laws vary from state–to–state, and every situation is different. We want to make sure everyone knows what their rights are before they use a firearm or other legal weapon in self–defense. Then, we want to provide the legal relief and assistance they need after an accident.”
Using deadly force legally and justifiably is a complicated decision, and you need to know what you’re doing before you act, Evans said.
He continued, “You’re probably thinking that you’ll be ‘in the right’ if you have to protect yourself, and that the law will just let you go after a self-defense event. Think about it — somebody’s been shot or shot at. The police do their best to sort it all out, but they are not there to administer curbside justice. Instead, the legal system will be left to sort out who is and is not innocent after a shooting. This can be very costly and take a lot of time.”
Texas & U.S. Law Shield members have some built-in advantages if they become involved in these situations, Evans commented.
“We provide local legal support in your backyard, starting with events and educational workshops where gun owners can learn the real-life legalities of their state and local laws when it comes to self-defense situations,” Evans advised. “Our local independent program attorneys provide the most in-depth, current information in language everyone can understand and use.”
If members are involved in a self-defense situation, Evans said, we advise them to take a series of steps:
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After an altercation, make sure they are safe at the scene;
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Call 9-1-1 and carefully lay out the most important details: who you are and what you look like, where you are, and that you were the victim of a crime;
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Ask 9-1-1 to send the police and medical help to your location;
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Get off the recorded 9-1-1 conversation and call the U.S. Law Shield Emergency Hotline;
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Recap the steps you have taken with your attorney and get further instructions;
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Don’t make any further statements without consulting your attorney.
“An Independent Program Attorney will answer the phone, listen to the details of the event, and give you further instructions,” Evans commented. “Those instructions will include advice about how to present yourself as non-threatening to arriving law enforcement, not speaking to anyone without your lawyer present, how to invoke your right to remain silent, and, perhaps, to hand the phone to a law-enforcement officer at the scene.”
He points out that citizens’ expectations should be more in– line with reality than what’s depicted on television. He said people who defend themselves should expect to be disarmed, and they may be handcuffed and held so officers can ensure their own safety while they sort things out.
“The costs of legal representation in self-defense situations can be very high,” Evans said. “There’s criminal and civil exposure, as well as appeals. Our covered members don’t pay any attorney’s fees beyond their membership, with no caps.
“Though the 2nd Amendment guarantees your right to possess and carry firearms, it doesn’t give you immunity for what you do with those firearms.
“Use and enjoy your right to keep and bear arms,” Evans said. “But you should also be educated and aware of the consequences if you have to use a firearm in self– defense. That’s where we can help.”
Texas & U.S. Law Shield has more than 217218,000 active members and operates in thirteen states. Based in Houston, the program currently offers memberships for their Firearms Legal Defense Program in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
Texas & U.S. Law Shield members receive access to a wealth of industry information and legal protection through seminars and workshops, books, blog, social media, video, and mainstream radio and television interviews. Also, members have non-emergency access to Independent Program Attorneys to answer any questions about their gun rights or other self-defense issues — all for as little as $10.95 a month.
Members can elect to carry Multi-State coverage for a nominal fee, which protects them in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as minor children coverage.
