Member Story: No Such Thing as Too Prepared
Scott Frey, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been a proud member of U.S. LawShield for seven years. In 2014, he decided to take responsibility for his personal protection and legally arm himself. Scott knew that it was the right decision for him. However, he also understood that it was important to fully comprehend his rights and secure reliable Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage.
Civil Asset Forfeiture: Fighting Crime, or Policing for Profit?
You may have heard recently about a Chicago woman who had $100,000 taken from her by police at Dallas Love Field Airport. A police dog alerted to her bag, and the money inside was seized by the police. You would be excused for dismissing this as entirely routine, presuming it was part of a drug bust; surprisingly, this was not the case.
The Top 3 Things You Need to Know About Right to Carry
Guns in public, and specifically right to carry laws, are a hot button topic for most Americans. Advocates for gun control insist that gun violence will be greatly reduced if there are further restrictions on the lawful gun owner’s right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. For their part, legally armed Americans view the right to carry as a cornerstone of the United States Constitution and an integral part of personal protection. Understanding what right to carry laws are, how they work, and where they apply is important for anyone interested in incorporating firearms into their self-defense plan.
The Top 4 Things You Need to Know About Use of Force
Whether it’s a private citizen defending their life from an attack or law enforcement apprehending a criminal, in today’s world there are many questions surrounding use of force. Although the term means different things when used with a civilian versus a government agent, everyone has questions about what level of force is warranted for a given situation. Police officers need to be aware of “excessive force” and civilians need to be wary of escalating a situation by using “disproportional force” in a self-defense incident. We all struggle to balance the value of human life against the need to respond, sometimes with deadly force, to an imminent threat.
What Is Open Carry?
What is Open Carry? Simply put, it's the practice of carrying a wholly or partially visible firearm. It could be a holstered handgun that's not hidden under a concealment garment, or the less common practice of carrying a long gun on a sling. Since the gun isn't concealed, it's carried "in the open" hence the term "open carry."
2021: A Gun Owner’s Year in Review
We were all thrilled when 2020 ended and most us could not wait for a new year to begin. However, we were equally disappointed when many of the hardships we faced during the previous year continued (think: what’s scarier than a year of a pandemic? A second year of a pandemic). Although 2021 was far from ideal, the pro-Second Amendment community did experience a few wins that showed us things can get better with united effort. If you’re trying to separate everything that happened this year from last, don’t worry. Here are some of the biggest Second Amendment and self-defense stories from 2021.
Top 3 Safety Tips for New Year Celebration
A New Year Celebration can represent many different things for many different people. For some, it is a time of careful reflection on the events of the past year and a hopeful optimism for the possibilities the coming year represents. For others, it’s an excuse to gather with friends, family, or strangers and enjoy a party. No matter your personal feelings or beliefs behind a New Year Celebration, it’s always a good idea to consider how to stay safe and what goes into protecting not only your physical health and safety, but also your emotional health and safety.
When Your Gun Isn’t Enough: Secondary Defensive Measures
As a gun owner, it’s a good idea to have not only your everyday carry (EDC) gun but some secondary defensive measures as well. The old saying “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” comes into play when all you have or know is your gun. Adding to your skillset—increasing the contents of your tactical toolbox—is a good idea for all of us. What secondary measures should you consider? Read on to find out.
What Is Duty to Retreat and How Does It Work?
“Duty to retreat” is a phrase you’ll hear from time to time when discussing lawful self-defense. It's a term that is frequently misunderstood and misrepresented, so call your Independent Program Attorney if you have any questions. Let's unpack this legal term so that you can understand what it really means when a state has a duty to retreat law.
Top 12 New Year’s Resolutions for Gun Owners
As we welcome each new year, it’s typical to think about making changes. There are many things we’d all like to do with our lives, and it’s a cultural tradition to frame them as New Year’s resolutions. The problem with that is the way resolutions tend to be forgotten before January is even over. As gun owners, it’s a great idea to plan for year-round changes by making resolutions that will improve our skills and make us safer, more responsible people. With that in mind, we’ve come up with 12 New Year’s resolutions for gun owners: one for each month to cover the entire coming year.
Fight Off a Rapist—and Face Charges?
This is a real story of a self-defense encounter that happened to one our members. At the time, she was a single college student with no thoughts of what Legal Defense for Self Defense® might mean. To protect her identity, we are not including any real names, dates, or locations. For our purposes, we'll call our defender “Maria.”
10 Best Last-Minute Gifts for Gun Enthusiasts
Gun lovers often joke about how they’re not hard to shop for—you just need to know where the nearest gun store is. But the truth is, finding the perfect gift for gun enthusiasts (that isn’t a firearm) is not an easy task. So, if you’re in need of some gift ideas for the gun lover in your life, look no further! From hidden gems to high-quality must-haves, we’ve got you covered with our list of the 10 best holiday gifts for gun enthusiasts.