AOR’s Three Simple Rules for Self-Defense Coverage
When it comes to legal self-defense programs, most gun owners are surprised to learn that coverage isn’t always clear. Most of these programs include long, complicated lists of exclusions, fine print, and conditional clauses that can leave members uncertain whether they’ll be protected when they need it most. Some specify that you use a particular type of weapon, or that you meet subjective standards of “reasonable” force, often decided after the incident.
At Attorneys On Retainer (AOR), we believe your right to self-defense shouldn’t be tangled in red tape. In a real-life crisis, even the most responsible firearm owner doesn’t have time to think about paperwork or policies, you act to protect your life or someone else’s. You will use whatever means to protect yourself when your life is in immediate danger. Traditional self-defense programs may deny coverage if a weapon is considered illegal, regardless of the incident. Not every act of self-defense happens under ideal conditions; most traditional self-defense insurance programs fail to recognize this. AOR exists to change that.
That’s why we keep it simple. If you meet these three criteria, you’re covered:
- 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 AOR.
You are Charged or Concerned About Being Charged With a Crime
Self-defense isn’t always without consequence. Even if you acted lawfully, law enforcement might arrest you immediately or decide to investigate and charge you later. With AOR, you don’t need to wait until you’re officially arrested or indicted to get legal help. If you’ve been involved in a self-defense incident and believe there’s a real chance you could face investigation or charges, our team is prepared to defend you.
Example: Imagine you draw your firearm to stop an attack. The threat flees, but police later question whether your defensive display was justified. Even if you’re not arrested, the risk of prosecution is real—and that’s when AOR steps in.
Whether it’s a misdemeanor like brandishing or a serious felony involving deadly force, you deserve legal protection from the start. At AOR, our legal defense team is prepared to build your case immediately after your self-defense incident, whether you are charged or not.
You Can Assert in Good Faith That You Acted in Self-Defense or Defense of Others
Self-defense incidents are chaotic and complex. People make split-second choices in stressful moments, and sometimes, those choices are imperfect. AOR doesn’t expect perfection; what matters is intent and reasonableness. This means you honestly believed you or someone else was in danger, and your belief was reasonable under the circumstances. You don’t need a law degree to know when your life is at risk; you just need to act in good faith.
Why “Good Faith” Matters
“Good faith” is a key phrase in law that refers to honesty of intention and absence of intent to deceive or commit wrongdoing.
In this context:
- You believed you were in danger (or that someone else was).
- You acted to stop that danger, not to provoke, punish, or escalate.
- You weren’t committing another crime at the time (for example, robbing someone or brandishing a gun out of anger).
If you can genuinely make that claim, even if later evidence is disputed, AOR considers it within the scope of self-defense coverage.
This “good faith” claim gives AOR the flexibility to defend members even in gray-area cases, as long as:
- You genuinely believed you were acting in lawful self-defense.
- Your belief wasn’t fabricated or made up after the fact.
This makes AOR’s standard broader and fairer than traditional insurance-backed programs that may deny coverage unless self-defense is conclusively proven first. At AOR, we believe in defending people who were forced to protect themselves, and our attorneys are dedicated to defending your rights and freedom.
The Charges Arise After You Become a Member of AOR
Legal defense coverage through AOR begins only once your membership is active. We do not provide retroactive coverage for incidents that happened before your membership started.
Example: If you completed your membership application and became fully active on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m., and were involved in a self-defense incident at 2:01 p.m. the same day, you would be covered. However, if the incident took place on Sept. 30, before your enrollment, we could not provide legal defense through AOR.
People often face charges weeks or even months after an incident, especially in self-defense cases. However, AOR coverage eligibility strictly depends on the date the incident occurred, not when charges are filed. If the incident happened before you became a member, it is not covered under The AOR Program, even if charges are filed after you enroll. Therefore, it is crucial to secure your membership ahead of time.
Don’t wait until after an incident. Join AOR now—so your protection starts before the unthinkable happens.
