How AOR Revolutionized Self-Defense Legal Programs
March 24, 2025
Over the past few years, we expanded the benefits of The Attorneys On Retainer Program to include bail bond coverage, expert witness coverage, investigator coverage, and more. These new benefits, along with our ability as a law firm to avoid all the typical insurance-related exclusions involving self-defense incidents, helped solidify AOR as one of the best self-defense programs in the self-defense industry.
However, for us to fulfill our goal of having the absolute best program in the industry, we still faced significant challenges, because we are a law firm as well as the anti-gun state’s reaction to the Bruen decision.
A Law Firm Alone Can Not Do Everything
As a well-established self-defense law firm, we know we have distinct advantages over our industry competitors regarding legal defense coverage in self-defense cases. However, because we are a law firm, we are unable to provide certain benefits that our competitors offer - civil liability and red flag coverage.
Some concealed carry providers can offer civil liability and red flag coverage because they are backed by insurance companies. Unfortunately for us, some responsible gun owners consider not having these as “deal breakers” when they are looking for a self-defense program membership.
Anti-Gun States Reacting to the Bruen Decision
The Bruen decision refers to the U.S. Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, decided on June 23, 2022. This landmark ruling struck down New York’s “may-issue” concealed carry licensing law, which required applicants to demonstrate a special need for self-defense beyond general public safety concerns to obtain a concealed carry permit.
The Bruen decision significantly impacted “anti-gun” states by restricting their ability to enforce strict gun control laws. This eventually prompted some states to consider gun insurance mandates. This made it more difficult for governments to justify modern gun regulations, which led to states like California and New Jersey attempting to create laws requiring gun owners to have liability insurance. These new mandates could substantially disadvantage The AOR Program as compared to competitors who offer civil liability coverage in states that pass such laws.
Searching for Options
For AOR to compete against insurance-backed companies and prepare for other anti-gun states to require gun owners to carry liability insurance, we knew we had to find the right solution. We initially explored partnering with insurance companies to offer civil liability coverage, but we concluded that it would be impossible to work with them due to their strict insurance exclusions, like not covering criminal acts and implementing recoupment clauses. We were simply not willing to compromise our existing benefits for the sake of offering civil liability insurance.
A Revolutionary Solution without Compromise
After countless hours of research, our legal team discovered a unique legal entity called a Risk Retention Group (RRG) that allowed us to offer the benefits of an insurance company without the exclusions that a traditional insurance company often requires.
An RRG is a unique legal entity formed under federal law, offering an alternative way to handle risk and liability. RRGs are member-owned and operated and are designed to provide coverage for members. So, for The AOR Program to add civil liability and red flag coverage to our benefits package, we started our own RRG, The Attorneys For Freedom Risk Retention Group, Inc. (“AFF-RRG”)
The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm created AFF-RRG, a groundbreaking insurance solution that is different from anything you will find with traditional providers. As a private insurance program formed under federal law, it offers a fresh approach to managing risk and liability, free from the standard regulations that apply to typical insurance companies. Designed specifically for our members, it removes the usual insurance limitations and exclusions, putting your needs first.
More Info on RRGs:
The AFF-RRG Opened Up Additional Benefit Opportunities
In addition to now being able to offer civil liability and red flag coverage, we are also able to provide other benefits such as:
- Commission-Based Affiliate Program for All AOR Association Members
- Online Firearms and Self-Defense Training and Education
- Comprehensive Criminal and Civil Legal Representation in Self-Defense-Related Matters
- Legal Advocacy for 2A Issues and Selected Pro Bono Legal Representation
- Expungement and Record Clearing Coverage
- Negligent Training and Hiring Coverage for Firearms Trainers
With The AFF-RRG, The AOR Association Was Born
Contemporaneously with the formation of AFF-RRG, The Attorneys On Retainer Association was also formed. The AFF-RRG insures The Attorneys On Retainer Association along with all affiliate members as additional insureds upon joining.
The Attorneys On Retainer Association (“AOR Association”) wholly owns AFF-RRG and is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization built to support business owners, firearms owners, and self-defense trainers across the country. It provides essential resources, protection, and support to its members, all while promoting online self-defense education and offering opportunities to earn commissions through our affiliate program.
While The AOR Association itself does not employ anyone, The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm manages and administers all aspects of The AOR Association to ensure all affiliates have attorney-client privilege.
The AOR Program’s Three Distinct Entities
- The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm
- The Attorneys For Freedom Risk Retention Group, Inc.
- The Attorneys On Retainer Association
The Attorneys For Freedom Risk Retention Group, Inc.
The AFF-RRG is a risk retention group that issues a private insurance policy to The AOR Association and covers each affiliate of The AOR Association as an additional insured on that policy. The AFF-RRG allows AOR to maintain its unique advantages, such as attorney-client privilege, while adding civil liability coverage. The structure of the AFF-RRG allows AOR memberships to be available in all 50 states without state-specific regulatory challenges.
The Attorneys On Retainer Association
The AOR Association is a non-profit entity that owns AFF-RRG. The AOR Association provides each affiliate with resources such as online self-defense training and education and offers opportunities to earn commissions through our affiliate program.
The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, which created both entities, has contractual relationships with both the AFF-RRG and The AOR Association. The law firm handles claims, legal work, and other functions for the AFF-RRG and The AOR Association, ensuring all information and decisions remain within the firm.
Summary
In conclusion, we have strategically upgraded your membership to navigate the evolving legal landscape and provide unmatched protection for firearm trainers, owners, and self-defense enthusiasts. Recognizing emerging challenges, AOR has leveraged the innovative structure of an RRG to enhance member benefits without compromising existing protections. By coordinating AFF-RRG, The AOR Association, and The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, AOR offers a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to self-defense legal coverage. AOR ensures that members across all 50 states have access to unparalleled legal representation, self-defense training, and new opportunities for financial growth through the affiliate program. AOR remains committed to safeguarding the rights of responsible firearms trainers, owners, and self-defense enthusiasts and adapting to protect all AOR Association affiliates, no matter how the landscape shifts.
About the Author Criminal Defense Attorney Marc J. Victor
Criminal Defense Attorney and founder/owner of Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, Marc J. Victor, specializes in major felony and self-defense cases. With experience as a legal commentator, he is also a long-time freedom activist and a former U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm.
View All Posts by Marc J. Victor | Read Marc J. Victor's Full Bio