Gun Owners Legal Defense Fund?

J

justice4all

New member
Is there any organization that pools the funds of its member so that, should they need an attorney's help after a self-defense shooting or an illegal seizure of property, they have already contributed what they will need to their defense fund?

I understand that the NRA will put its resources behind certain high-profile cases, and that GOA has a similar position, but aren't the cases they agree to pursue accepted arbitrarily? They are in no way obliged to provide assistance to any particular member, are they?

I know that there are pre-paid legal institutions, but how are these groups at dealing with gun laws? Has anyone here required the assistance of one of these programs?

Many of the posts here suggest having an attorney on retainer or at least in mind, should the need for their aid arise. But rather than all of us individually having attorneys on retainer, wouldn't it make sense to do this collectively, since the chances are relatively slim that we will ever need such help, but still sufficient enough that it is logical to insure against such an expense?

Your opinions please.
 
The NRA General Counsel's office will assist people who have been arrested or charged with firearms offenses. Your attorney must apply for their aid, though. They don't just wade in based on high profile or notariety.
 
Utah now has such an organization. It's called UGOLD and it only costs $35/year ($50/family) or $1000 for a life membership. BUT - it's not a "rent-a-lawyer" sort of thing, it's more of an educational outfit. One of the founders is a lawyer, and they are involved with the AOL litigation. Contact UGOLD at 8773 South 450 East, Sandy Ut 84070 for more information.

Doug444
 
Doug, I'm not sure I understand, $35 per year for education?

Do you have a url for UGOLD?

jimpeel, I understand and appreciate that the NRA gives certain kinds of help in certain cases, and that is part of the reason I am a member, even though I am not in total agreement with them. But I'm wondering if there is any organization to which one can pay dues/insurance/retainer in order to know/to be sure that ones legal expenses will be covered, should the need arise.
 
I know this doesn't exactly answer your question
or suit your exact needs but on the back of my Second
Amendment Foundation membership card is the following:

"This card entitles that the holder is a member in
good standing of the SAF and is entitled to unlimited
use of its Attorney Referral Service (425-454-7012)
for litigation involving gun rights."

I have never used it (thankfully) and I assume it
is just a database of some sort that includes
pro-gun attorneys around the country. Maybe they
would have information concerning the kind of thing
you are looking for.

Another possibility is the American Self-Defense
Institute at http://www.americanselfdefense.com
They claim to have the type of thing you are looking
for although I know nothing beyond what appears on
their website.

I agree that something like you describe would be a
huge benefit to many gun owners.
 
If there is an FFL association, they should get together and set one up for themselves. I would gladly pay an extra $5 on a rifle for the purpose.

The BATF would no longer have the leverage of saying, "You know, Mister Small-time-barely-making-it-FFL, this is gonna cost you $30,000 to defend. Why not just cop a plea and work for us to snag somebody else? The BATF would have to carefully pick and choose their assaults knowing that FFLs wouldn't be the sitting ducks that they are now.

I have been considering doing several gun raffles in Arizona to fund such and effort here. At least it would keep lawless BATF activity here to a minimum.

Rick
 
You know, that's just what the homeschoolers did, a generation back. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) agrees to take up your legal defense if the local school authorities ever come after you for homeschooling. Costs around $100 a year.

If there are any attorneys out there who want to set up something similar for CCW holders, they should get in touch with the lawyers at HSLDA about their setup. It seems to provide a living for the HSLDA lawyers.

pax

I have come to regard the law courts not as a cathedral but rather as a casino. -- Richard Ingrams
 
CCW holders is too narrow a group.

The BATF is attacking FFLs and people who sell their collection at gunshows for too much money.

The BATF and US Attys office needs to be slowed down. They are used to prosecuting people who haven't the means to put up a proper defense.

Rick
 
justice4all,

UGOLD does not have a website at this point. By education I mean seminars and such on local (Utah) gun laws and changes, primarily. Drop 'em a line at the address above snail-mail and I'm sure they'll answer your questions. It's not exactly what this thread is about, but it's a starting point for us here in Utah. Such is my take on it, at least.

Doug444
 
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