How a USCCA Membership Can Help You Pay Your Attorney Fees

While some states boast “Stand Your Ground” laws that empower gun owners to defend themselves from threats rather than retreating from harm, Maryland does not afford the same legal protections to its residents. Outside the home, Maryland generally requires retreat if safe to do so, although the castle doctrine applies inside the home.

As a result, many responsible gun owners find themselves facing potential legal challenges even in cases that appear to be straightforward matters of self-defense. These legal hurdles tend to come at a high cost and can begin a ripple effect of financial distress for defendants and their loved ones. Luckily, there are options available to help offset some of the financial strain commonly attributed to criminal and civil litigation. Here’s a brief overview of how a United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) membership may help you access insurance funds to pay defense costs.

What is the USCCA?

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is a national membership organization that provides responsible gun owners with a number of benefits intended to help them protect their rights in a self-defense scenario. This 100% U.S.-based organization specializes in providing education and training in addition to a self-defense liability insurance policy for its members (subject to policy terms, limits, and exclusions) that is designed to help members obtain and pay for legal counsel in the event that they are charged with a firearm-related crime.

How the USCCA benefits work

There are three primary benefits members can expect to receive if they choose to join the USCCA. These benefits include:

1. Lifesaving education: Educational programming about creating home defense plans, boosting situational awareness, and complying with firearm laws.
2. Industry-leading training: At-home and live range training related to de-escalation tactics and firearm safety.
3. Self-defense liability insurance: Member-exclusive insurance policies that cover costs commonly associated with self-defense cases.

When you join the USCCA, you automatically receive access to these benefits at a level commensurate with your chosen membership tier. Your membership dues provide you with both the resources and liability coverage you need to protect your personal safety and your peace of mind.

What happens if I’m charged with a firearm crime as a USCCA member?

Despite engaging in ongoing education and training, you may still find yourself facing firearm charges should you ever need to discharge your weapon in self-defense. These charges often come at high personal, professional, and financial costs, leaving even the most responsible gun owners struggling to move forward.

That’s where your USCCA membership comes into play. Thanks to USCCA’s self-defense liability insurance, you may be able to access the funds you need to cover a variety of case costs, including:

• Attorney fees: You may be able to use your USCCA liability coverage to retain a skilled attorney who can help defend you in court.
• Bail bond funding: If you don’t have cash on hand to pay any bond assessed in your case, your liability insurance may provide you with the funds you need to pay your bail and return home while awaiting trial.
• Expert retention: In addition to compensating your legal counsel, you may also need to pay to retain the services of expert witnesses and independent investigators who can help you build your case.
• Civil damages: If you are sued in civil court, your policy may cover civil damages and defense expenses up to policy limits and subject to the policy’s terms and exclusions.

Because the financial burden of civil and criminal litigation can be insurmountable for many Maryland residents, having access to these insurance benefits can play a crucial role in ensuring both a positive case outcome and long-term financial security.

Carey Law Office, LLC and the USCCA

As a member of the USCCA Attorney Network and Emergency Response Team, Carey Law Office, LLC is proud to partner with the USCCA in all the valuable work they do for responsible gun owners in our community. With over 40 years of experience serving clients in the state of Maryland, we understand just how costly a firearm-related case can be for residents.

Thanks to the industry-leading liability coverage offered by USCCA, however, you may have more resources available to you than you realize. If you were a USCCA member when you were charged in a self-defense case, you may be able to leverage your liability insurance to retain our services. In fact, your legal defense may be covered (up to policy limits) by the USCCA, leaving you better-positioned to deal with all of the challenges associated with these complex cases.

Final thoughts

When the unthinkable happens, and you have no choice but to take defensive action, the last thing you should have to worry about is how to pay for an attorney. Thanks to the comprehensive membership benefits offered by the USCCA, you may have options available to help you pay your case costs and retain the effective legal representation you deserve.

I am personally passionate about the work USCCA does to protect and serve the members of our community. That’s why I am more than happy to work with USCCA members who find themselves facing firearm-related challenges.

If you were charged with a firearm violation after exercising your right to defend yourself, and you were a USCCA member at the time, you may be able to have your legal fees covered, depending on your USCCA policy terms and approval. Give Carey Law Office, LLC a call today or fill out the online contact form to request a free consultation, and let’s discuss how your USCCA membership can give you renewed peace of mind while you navigate the complexities of your self-defense case.