AOR Covers You Even if Your Incident Occurred in a Gun-Free Zone
In 2017, a mass shooting occurred at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. When Stephen Willeford, a nearby resident, heard the gunfire from his home, he retrieved his legally owned AR-15 rifle, ran barefoot toward the church, and confronted the shooter. Mr. Willeford’s brave response ended the rampage and prevented more loss of life. While widely praised as a hero, the incident raises an important legal question: what if Mr. Willeford’s actions had taken place within a legally designated gun-free zone?
Millions of Americans carry firearms for personal protection, understanding that threats can arise at any time and in any place. However, many are unaware that even after a lawful act of self-defense, they may still face criminal charges or civil liability if the incident occurred in a “gun-free zone.”
Unlike self-defense programs backed by traditional insurance that often deny coverage in gun-free zones, The Attorneys On Retainer Program (AOR) does not have such restrictions. We provide comprehensive legal representation because your right to self-defense should not depend on your location.
What is a Gun-Free Zone?
Gun-free zones are areas where firearms are prohibited, often by federal, state, or local law, or by private property owners. These areas include schools, post offices, government buildings, private businesses, and airports. Laws governing these zones vary widely from state to state and are often confusing, inconsistently enforced, or poorly marked.
Most self-defense programs backed by traditional insurance include language explicitly excluding coverage if a firearm is possessed or used in a gun-free zone. In these programs, an otherwise lawful act of self-defense may be ineligible for coverage because of the location where it occurred.
At AOR, we do not impose such restrictions. We do not believe that where you defend yourself should determine your eligibility for representation. If you acted in self-defense because you reasonably believed you were in imminent danger, our attorneys will represent you, regardless of where the incident took place.
Why This Matters
Even the most responsible gun owners can find themselves near a gun-free zone in daily life, such as when picking up a child from school, mailing a package at the post office, watching a game at the bar, or shopping at certain establishments.
Often, individuals may not realize they are in a gun-free zone due to missing, hidden, or poorly placed signs. Regardless of the circumstances, if a use-of-force incident occurs, law enforcement and prosecutors may penalize these violations, even if the individual acted in lawful self-defense.
Responsible citizens may need to defend themselves in real-world situations, usually with limited information and no time to hesitate. That is why we uphold a core principle: we do not penalize our members for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You deserve complete legal protection if you acted reasonably in self-defense or in defense of others.
The Attorneys On Retainer Difference
Every self-defense case is legally complex, and this complexity increases when a gun-free zone is involved. Issues related to signage, statutory interpretation, property ownership, and firearm transport laws often come into play.
At AOR, we understand this legal landscape and are here to help our members navigate it. Our attorneys are ready to defend you against these legal challenges. You should not have to face these issues alone simply because you found yourself in a restricted area during an unexpected situation.
Strict industry regulations and risk management protocols govern most self-defense programs that are backed by traditional insurance companies. Consequently, they often deny coverage when an act of self-defense occurs in a designated gun-free zone, regardless of whether the use of force was justified.
In contrast, AOR is supported by a law firm, The Attorneys For Freedom (AFF). We established our own Risk Retention Group (RRG) to operate independently from traditional insurance regulations. This allows us to set our own standards for legal representation.
Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys is committed to defending freedom without questioning where it was exercised. That is why we do not deny coverage simply because an incident occurs in a gun-free zone. We will represent you if you meet our three established criteria.
- You are charged (or are reasonably concerned about being charged) with a crime (felony or misdemeanor).
- You can reasonably and in good faith assert that you acted in self-defense or defense of others.
- The charges arise out of conduct that occurred entirely after you became a member of Attorneys On Retainer.
Real World Examples
Example 1: You Use a Firearm in a School Parking Lot
While picking up your child from school, you witness another parent being attacked with a knife just a few feet away. You draw your lawfully concealed carry firearm to intervene and stop the assault. Although your actions may have saved a life, the fact that you were on school grounds, which is a federally and state-designated gun-free zone, means you could still face criminal charges simply for possessing a firearm in that area.
Example 2: You Defend Yourself Inside a Church
During a Sunday service, an armed attacker enters the church and begins to open fire. You draw your concealed firearm to stop the assailant, potentially preventing a mass tragedy. However, depending on your state’s laws or the church’s posted policies, you might have violated a gun-free zone law, even though your actions were purely defensive.
Example 3: You Respond to a Threat Inside a Post Office
While visiting the post office to mail a package with your concealed weapon, a person inside the lobby suddenly brandishes a weapon and threatens everyone inside. You respond quickly and use your firearm to neutralize the threat. Despite acting to protect yourself and others, you have now used a firearm in a federal gun-free zone, which could lead to serious legal consequences.
Example 4: You Use Force on Hospital Grounds
While visiting a family member at the hospital, you step outside and witness someone being assaulted in the parking lot. Acting swiftly, you draw your firearm to protect the victim. Unfortunately, hospitals are often designated as gun-free zones, meaning that your lawful act of self-defense may still lead to legal scrutiny or charges for possessing a firearm in a restricted area.
Example 5: You Defend Yourself Near a Government Building
After leaving a state government office, you walk to your car in a nearby parking garage. Suddenly, someone attempts to carjack you at gunpoint. You draw your concealed weapon and fire a warning shot in self-defense. Although your actions may be justified, being on government property, where firearms are often restricted, could result in prosecution.
Conclusion
Nobody knows when or where a defensive encounter might occur, but you can be sure of one thing: if you are part of The AOR Program, you will not be alone – regardless of where the incident happens. At AOR, we believe in defending freedom. If you acted in self-defense and your case meets our three criteria, we will represent you.
Read our full “We Cover You Even If…” series to see how far that commitment goes.
At AFF, we do not just speak about defending freedom; we actively do it in the courtroom every day. If you are a responsible gun owner or someone who values freedom, we encourage you to explore our AOR Program. If you would like to know more about our law firm and how our AOR Program can help you, please call 866-404-5112 or email us.
