Gunfighter

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 106 Location: inside the loop

If,as law-abiding CHL holders and all around good guys, we should ever need to use our pistols in self-defense then there is always the possibility of legal ramifications. Both civil and criminal.

Simply put,not only will there be the actual physical situation there will be a need for legal counsel in the aftermath. Brian as I recall from Tac-Pistol I is an expert witness and having had his training classes will be a valuable part of any defense for you.

For me,I have found a law firm that specializes in CHL cases for the Houston area and for the $120.00 annual fee it offers me HUGE peace-of-mind to know that should I use my handgun(or any other CHL related issue) that I have legal counsel standing-by.
When we are in a car wreck,first thing we look for is the auto insurance card,at the hospital first thing we look for is the health insurance card, same now for me is the Concealed Carry Legal card. I hope never to need it,but having it is comforting.

If necessary,they will send an attorney to the scene and consult with you BEFORE you open your mouth and make any statements...remember your freedom,your finances, and your very life might be at stake following a use of force situation.

Check them out at www.concealedcarrylegal.com and if you live in the Houston and surrounding areas... give them a call and get yourself/wife some legal protection coverage asap.

Also Note* "What to do if ..."
http://www.concealedcarrylegal.com/whatToDo.cfm

jairb · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

Where would one go to find out more about their record in handling "use of force" cases? It seems like quite a lot of protection for $120/yr ... almost too much.

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 106 Location: inside the loop

That is a FAQ for sure, Jairb and I have asked Tom Nixon about it myself.
(Btw,I just sent in my 2nd year renewal for coverage this month - still the same for the annual of $120.00)
Call and talk to them,or visit their booth at the Reliant and G.R. Brown gun shows...ask them if you have concerns.
Brian is one of their expert witnesses also,is what Tom told me.

I don't know if they can discuss actual cases due to confidentiality reasons but the short answer is that the firm has been doing this type of work for several years. Further,the customer base for their pre-paid like CHL legal is expanding and more and more CHL instructors are mentioning it as an option in their classes when talking about liablity.
Having been in the insurance business for 20 years I would think they did some number of incidents per CHL holder studies as well.

The way I look at it is that IF I ever had to be involved in a use-of-force situation then whatever the circumstances are I will still need an attorney.
Why scurry around trying to find someone who may or may not have any real experience with CHL matters and then have to put up a $10,000 - $15,000 retainer just to get thru the Grand Jury?
I can pay the $120.00 for alot of years for that kind of money.
Not to mention possibly any civil litigation costs later even if you are no-billed.

Remember it is NOT insurance for damages awards but only for legal costs. Unfortunately,the lawyer fees without this coverage could be staggering even if you are totally justified.

jairb · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

With regard to the value of the $120 annual premium I completely agree. My due diligence concerns the risk of bad representation. There's really very little information on their site regarding the affiliated attorneys. There's no information whatsoever (even redacted) concerning case load, win/loss ratios, etc. Using Google to search on Tom Nixon and Don Philips doesn't turn up anything about any Use of Force cases.

I realize that this could come back to successful representations either avoiding Grand Juries altogether or obtaining No Bill outcomes. It's also possible that there are so few CHL-related Use of Force cases actually brought that the statistics would be meaningless. I'm just interested in understanding the landscape.

To me the risk is not $120. You're absolutely right about that being pocket change compared to a retainer for legal representation otherwise. The risk is that there's no accreditation for a specialty in this area (and even if there were) so it's buyer beware for a service whose quality may well determine the client's quality of life for the rest of their life.

After watching these two videos I was just beginning to search for something exactly like their service:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08fZQWjDVKE

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 106 Location: inside the loop

Excellent video topics,Jairb and yes what we say or not say in dealing with law officers at any of those stressful times is critical.

With a use-of-force situation,it is so important in fact that in the contract paperwork with Concealed Carry Legal is the clause (I am paraphrasing) that should you make statements to the police prior to contacting and consulting with their attorney that it violates the agreement and they can refuse to represent you.
You are to hand them your CCL- ID card and then tell the officers that yes you will give them a statement but you have to consult your attorney first...and then keep thy mouth shut.
(also read what to say on the 911 call very carefully)

That is why they will send an attorney to the scene or talk to you on the phone and are available 24/7.

Having spoken with them in person I am comfortable with this law firm for now and until and unless that changes I am glad to have this unique area of the law legal help available in case I need it. If you find something better please let me know.

jairb · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

M.W.,

I sincerely appreciate your willingness to comment on your experience and interactions with CCL. I am very interested in their offering and will contact them to discuss further.

Judging by the number of views this thread has gotten in the last 24 hours, it seems many others are keenly interested as well. If any other GFF readers have experience with CCL or other options for similar legal "insurance" I'm sure lots of members would be interested in reading your reviews.