Hero Protection Pro Bono Services
If you act in lawful self-defense but face charges for a weapons-related technical violation, you should still have a strong legal defense.
That’s why Attorneys On Retainer (AOR) created the Hero Protection Pro Bono Services benefit.
What Hero Protection Pro Bono Services Covers
If a client is involved in a self-defense-related legal matter and the directly resulting formal criminal charges are solely weapons-related regulatory charges (such as possession of a firearm or other weapon in a prohibited zone, possession of an illegal weapon, or a weapons-related permit violation), Attorneys For Freedom will represent the client pro bono through trial. This representation includes all necessary expert and investigator fees, as well as any costs for local counsel, at no additional cost to the client.
So, if you act in legitimate self-defense but face charges solely for regulatory weapons violations, you’re covered. This includes:
- Possession in prohibited locations, like some state parks or certain public areas
- Carrying without a valid permit in certain states
- Concealed carry permit compliance violations
- Failure to notify a law enforcement officer of a concealed weapon
- Weapons-related misconduct for licensed professionals, such as private investigators or security guards
- Any other regulatory weapons violation tied to a legitimate act of self-defense
The Case That Inspired the Hero Protection Clause
One of our clients was working construction at a middle school when armed robbers attacked his co-workers. He fired a warning shot that scared the attackers away.
No one was hurt.
The police investigated and agreed: he did the right thing. He was a hero.
And they charged him anyway.
The problem wasn’t his actions; it was that he was armed in a gun-free zone. Standard self-defense program contracts would exclude this coverage.
We couldn’t let that stand. This case led us to formalize what we’d always believed: regulatory restrictions should never prevent us from defending gun owners who acted in legitimate self-defense.
Example Scenarios
Carrying Without a Valid Permit
You are carrying without a current permit and stop a violent attack. Your actions are justified, but you are charged with unlawful carry.
If the underlying act was legitimate self-defense, the regulatory charge alone does not disqualify you from representation.
Unlicensed Sale/Transfer
You legally gifted or transferred a firearm to a family member without following proper licensing procedures.
If that family member later uses it in legitimate self-defense, but faces a regulatory or criminal charge tied to the transfer, you’re covered.
Why This Matters
Most programs exclude these types of charges or leave you to deal with them on your own.
As an AOR client, you are represented by a law firm that is committed to defending your actions in court at no additional cost when your case falls within this scope.
Related Content
Hero Protection Pro Bono Services
Our new Hero Protection Pro Bono Services provides full legal representation at no cost for qualifying self-defense cases, covering both clients facing regulatory weapon charges and non-clients who cannot afford defense.
The Four-Attorney Benefit
Every AOR member who goes to trial on a felony case will have four lawyers representing them in the courtroom. We are giving everyday people the same elite, multi-attorney defense team that was once only affordable to high-profile defendants.
Civil Liability Coverage
Understanding the potential for civil liability after a self-defense case is crucial for being properly prepared. That is why having the right team of legal professionals representing you, who know your case, can make all the difference.