I’ve been going to the Gun Rights Policy Conference for years now. I love that it’s like a family reunion with old friends. It’s also great to meet new people. Sarah Riggle is one of the people I met right at the end. I had lunch with friends on the last day, and we returned to the hotel. We ran into Sarah and her friend Laura Snyder, who was a guest on the Polite Society Podcast. I wanted to have Laura on the show, but she had to take care of things at home, and she said Sarah would be good to do a show with. So I got the cameras, and we filmed a show.
Sarah moved to the Phoenix area from Pennsylvania. She moved there with a long-time friend about three years ago. This was her first GPRC. She’s currently working in marketing for Attorneys For Freedom. With plans to get a marketing and graphic design degree, Sarah ended up in the restaurant business for several years. Making the move was a chance to try something new somewhere else. When she was young, she did some shooting growing up. But she realized she needed to get more serious about it when there was a shooting right outside of her house in Pennsylvania. Shocking it was a drug deal gone bad, and the person who got shot did not want to go to the hospital.
We start off talking about what Attorneys On Retainer and Attorneys For Freedom do. Attorneys For Freedom is located in Phoenix. Attorneys On Retainer is all across the United States. They’re a subscription-based law firm, not an insurance program. They’ve had several clients over the last three years go purchase a firearm and found out doing the background check, that they’re a prohibited person for something that may have been a misdemeanor and stopped them from being able to purchase a firearm. She also brings up that people who have been admitted to a mental health institution aren’t able to pass background checks and that does stop people from getting help needed when they’re in crisis. She brings up the great things that Hold My Guns (RSWC #092) and Walk The Talk America (RSWC #067) are doing.
The interesting misconception about some of the self-defense insurance policy programs is that if someone takes a plea deal, the insurance doesn’t kick in and pay for things. You have to be the innocent party. If you admit guilt and take a plea, the insurance cannot cover acts that are not lawful and intentional. For example, your car insurance won’t cover an accident that you caused on purpose. She also brings up that some of the insurance companies will not cover acts that happen with someone you know, particularly with domestic violence.
Often, what people don’t think about are the other costs that go with a court case. Things like expert witnesses, investigations, and medical testing that may need to be done. Of course, the cost varies, but it can easily be $10,000-$15,000 that someone may need to pay an attorney up front just to start the case. Both Attorneys For Freedom and Attorneys On Retainer have YouTube channels, and you can see some of what they’re about there. Should legal services ever be needed, it’s important to have a lawyer that is familiar with firearms, firearm cases, and other topics that are gun-related. Often, that is not your court-appointed attorney.
Let’s clarify: Sarah is not a lawyer and doesn’t offer legal advice. Everyone needs to do research on any program they sign up for to help them with legal situations and the aftermath of using force in self-defense.
Favorite Quotes:
- “It’s great to see more responsible gun owners getting involved with how to help other responsible gun owners.”
- “No one is going to protect me but myself.”
- “If you’re forced to defend your life and now you need to defend your freedom, that’s exactly what we’re there for.”
- “Attorneys On Retainer and Attorneys For Freedom we don’t have any problem covering all of these circumstances.”
About Riding Shotgun With Charlie
Riding Shotgun With Charlie isn’t about firearms. It is about having an intimate conversation with 2 people talking. You’re the fly on the rearview mirror. Many of the passengers are involved in the firearm community.
This is a more intimate conversation than a phone, radio, or Skype interview. You get to see the passengers. And you’ll see where the road and the conversation take you!
I think there is a level of gun owners who carry weapons and look at an after shooting situation as another financed cost of life, just like a car purchased on time, or a house mortgage, or credit card expenditures. These people are usually insured to the hilt. Hiring a lawyer for court defense is just another thing for them. Then there are people who do not buy on time, they reload their own ammunition, and insurance companies will not sell them insurance. These people handle their own affairs, including some court issues. What they need is specific advice on… Read more »