Tag: second-amendment

News, Self Defense Insurance

Why I No Longer Recommend USCCA For Self Defense Insurance

Mark Schneider

For years, I have recommended USCCA as an option for self-defense insurance to my students. However, after seeing several concerning issues with their pricing, marketing tactics, and overall approach to supporting their members, I can no longer endorse them. If you’re considering self-defense insurance, here’s why I believe USCCA is no longer the best option and which alternatives I now recommend instead.

1. USCCA Has Gotten Too Expensive

USCCA’s membership costs have become increasingly difficult to justify. At $40 per month or $400 per year, their plans are significantly more expensive than many competitors. While they offer some benefits, the cost is simply not competitive when other companies provide similar or better coverage at a fraction of the price.

2. Shady Marketing Practices

One of my biggest issues with USCCA is their aggressive and questionable marketing tactics. They have started marketing directly to my CCW students before they even attend my class, trying to sell their insurance without my knowledge or consent. I find this incredibly unprofessional, and because of this, I will never advertise or book classes through their website again.

3. Relentless Spam and Upselling

USCCA doesn’t just market to students before class—they continue to bombard them with emails and sales pitches afterward. Many of my students have complained about the constant spam, pushing them to buy more products and services. While it’s normal for companies to market their offerings, the overwhelming frequency of USCCA’s emails is excessive and unnecessary.

4. Questionable Case Support

There have been several controversial cases where USCCA backed out of providing legal support, leaving their members stranded. In some of these cases, USCCA acted as if nothing unusual had happened, despite strong criticism from the firearms community. When you pay for self-defense coverage, you need to know your provider will stand behind you when it matters most. Unfortunately, I no longer have confidence that USCCA will do that consistently.

5. Protector Academy Isn’t Worth the Price

USCCA promotes its Protector Academy as a key benefit of membership. While it does contain some good training videos, much of the same content can be found for free on YouTube. The idea of exclusive training sounds great, but in reality, it’s not enough to justify the high membership cost when so many high-quality, free training resources are available elsewhere.

6. Customer Service Issues

There have been numerous complaints about poor customer service and difficulty canceling memberships. Some members have reported being charged even after canceling or having to go through multiple steps just to get a response from USCCA support.

7. False Sense of Security

Many people assume that just having a USCCA membership means they are completely protected in a self-defense situation. However, some of the cases they’ve backed out of show that coverage isn’t guaranteed. This false sense of security could put people in a bad situation if they end up needing legal defense.

8. USCCA’s Shift in Priorities

USCCA started as a self-defense insurance company, but over time, they’ve moved toward being more of a media company—focusing on marketing, training content, and selling products rather than actually providing solid legal protection. This shift has made many in the gun community skeptical of their true priorities.

Better Alternatives to USCCA

If you’re looking for a better and more affordable self-defense insurance option, here are two companies I now recommend:

1. Right to Bear – $13/month

Right to Bear offers comprehensive legal coverage at a fraction of USCCA’s cost. At just $13 per month, it’s a much more affordable option for concealed carriers who want peace of mind without breaking the bank.

2. Firearms Legal Protection (FLP) – $10/month

FLP provides strong self-defense legal protection for as little as $10 per month, making it one of the most budget-friendly choices available. They have a solid reputation for standing behind their members when legal trouble arises.

Check Out My Self-Defense Insurance Comparison Chart

I’ve put together a detailed self-defense insurance comparison chart on my website, where you can see how different providers stack up against each other.

If you’re serious about protecting yourself legally, take a look at the options available and make an informed decision. The right coverage could make all the difference when it matters most.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law, Self Defense Insurance

Criminal Liability vs. Civil Liability: What Every CCW Holder Needs to Know

Mark Schneider

As a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) holder, understanding the difference between criminal liability and civil liability is critical. A single self-defense incident can lead to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, or both—each carrying serious consequences. Even if you win in criminal court, you can still be sued for damages in civil court, leading to financial ruin if you’re not prepared.

Criminal Liability

Criminal liability occurs when the government charges you with a crime, such as:

  • Using a firearm when not legally justified.
  • Discharging your weapon in a restricted area.
  • Carrying a firearm in a prohibited location.
  • Brandishing or threatening someone without legal cause.

If convicted, you could face fines, probation, or even jail time, depending on the severity of the charges. Even in a clear-cut self-defense situation, law enforcement and prosecutors will investigate your actions to determine if they were justified under the law.

How Prosecutors Approach Criminal Cases

Prosecutors analyze:

  • Intent: Did you act recklessly, or was your use of force necessary?
  • Reasonableness: Would a reasonable person in your position have used deadly force?
  • Evidence: Witness statements, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence all play a role in determining if charges are filed.
  • State Law: Stand-your-ground laws, duty-to-retreat, and castle doctrine vary by state and influence how cases are prosecuted.

Civil Liability

Even if you are found not guilty of a crime, you could still be sued in civil court. Civil liability involves lawsuits from individuals seeking financial compensation for injuries, emotional distress, or property damage.

You could be sued if:

  • A bystander is injured during a self-defense situation.
  • The person you shot (or their family) claims excessive force or wrongful death.
  • Someone argues your firearm caused unnecessary harm or fear.

Unlike criminal cases, civil lawsuits don’t require proof beyond a reasonable doubt—just a “preponderance of evidence,” meaning a judge or jury only needs to believe there’s a 51% chance you caused harm.

How Civil Attorneys Approach Lawsuits

Civil attorneys focus on:

  • Negligence: Was your use of force reckless or excessive?
  • Injury & Damages: Even if your actions were justified, they may argue you’re responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
  • Deep Pockets: Civil lawsuits often target individuals with insurance, assets, or employers who might be held liable.

Case Study: The Kyle Rittenhouse Case

The Kyle Rittenhouse case is a well-known example of criminal and civil liability intersecting.

  • In 2020, Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two, during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He claimed self-defense, arguing that he was attacked and feared for his life.
  • He was charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree intentional homicide.
  • During trial, his attorneys successfully argued that video evidence and witness testimony supported his claim of self-defense.
  • He was acquitted of all criminal charges in 2021.

What About Civil Liability?

Even after his acquittal, the families of the deceased filed lawsuits against him, claiming wrongful death. This highlights how winning in criminal court doesn’t prevent civil lawsuits—which can financially ruin someone even if their actions were legally justified.

The Estimated Cost of the Kyle Rittenhouse Case

The Rittenhouse case also demonstrates how expensive a self-defense incident can become.

Criminal Defense Costs

It’s estimated that Rittenhouse’s criminal defense costs exceeded $2 million. This includes:

  • Attorney fees
  • Expert witnesses
  • Private investigators
  • Court filing fees
  • Trial preparation

Most people don’t have access to millions in legal funds—which is why self-defense insurance is crucial for CCW holders.

Potential Civil Liability Costs

Even after his acquittal, Rittenhouse still faces civil lawsuits from the families of those he shot. Civil cases often cost:

  • $50,000 – $500,000 in legal fees just to defend yourself.
  • Millions of dollars if you lose and are ordered to pay damages.

Because civil lawsuits have a lower burden of proof (preponderance of evidence, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt), many people find themselves in financial ruin—even if they were legally justified in using force.

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Self-Defense Insurance:
    The best way to mitigate financial risk is by having self-defense insurance, which can cover legal defense costs, attorney fees, and damages in both criminal and civil cases. To compare the best self-defense insurance plans, check out our guide here:
    👉 The Best Self-Defense Insurance Programs – Comparison
  2. Know Your Local Laws:
    • Some states have stand-your-ground laws, while others require a duty to retreat.
    • Castle Doctrine applies in homes but not necessarily in public places.
  3. Responsible Firearm Training:
    • The more skilled and knowledgeable you are, the less likely you’ll make a costly mistake in a high-stress situation.
  4. Legal Representation:
    • Having an attorney on standby can be crucial. A good lawyer can advise you after a self-defense incident and help prevent statements that could be used against you in court.

What to Do After a Self-Defense Incident

✅ Call 911 immediately. Request police and medical assistance.
✅ Identify yourself as the victim. Say, “I was forced to defend myself.”
✅ DO NOT give a detailed statement. Only state that you were attacked and had to defend yourself.
✅ Call your attorney. If you have self-defense insurance, contact them immediately.
✅ Remain silent if arrested. Invoke your right to an attorney before answering any questions.

Final Thoughts

As a CCW holder, both criminal and civil liability can come into play if you ever use your firearm in self-defense. While criminal charges could take away your freedom, civil lawsuits could destroy you financially—even if you were legally justified in using force.

The best protection? Know the law, train often, and consider self-defense insurance. Learn more about the best insurance plans here:
👉 Self-Defense Insurance Comparison Guide

Legal & Law, News

Ghost Guns and the Constitution: Why the Supreme Court Got It Wrong

Mark Schneider
A Picture of an AR-15 “Ghost Gun” lower. Photo Credit to Mitch Barrie.

The recent Supreme Court ruling upholding the Biden administration’s regulations on so-called “ghost guns” is a dangerous step toward eroding the Second Amendment. These homemade firearms, which have been legally manufactured by individuals for centuries, are now being subjected to burdensome regulations that redefine what constitutes a firearm. The ruling in Garland v. VanDerStok represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the Constitution and the historical rights of Americans to build their own weapons.

Manufacturing Firearms: A Right, Not Just a Commercial Practice

The ability to manufacture firearms has never been limited solely to commercial entities. Throughout American history, citizens have had the right to craft their own firearms without government interference. The Supreme Court’s decision now treats this as a regulated commercial practice rather than an individual liberty. This ruling does not align with the original intent of the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to “keep and bear arms”—a right that extends to making those arms.

How the Supreme Court Got It Wrong

The Court’s majority opinion claims that kits allowing individuals to assemble firearms quickly fall within the regulatory scope of the ATF. However, this interpretation oversteps congressional authority and contradicts previous rulings that emphasize a historical approach to gun regulation. The Firearm Owners’ Protection Act of 1986 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 did not intend for the federal government to regulate individual gun-making activities in this way. Justice Clarence Thomas, in his dissent, correctly pointed out that the ATF was never given the power to regulate firearm parts or objects that could be “readily converted” into firearms. By allowing this new definition, the Supreme Court has set a precedent that could allow further encroachments on gun rights.

The Slippery Slope of Gun Control

The decision to classify gun kits as firearms is an arbitrary expansion of government power. If an unassembled kit is a firearm, what stops regulators from going after individual parts or even raw materials that could be used to make a gun? This ruling opens the door for more intrusive policies that undermine the Second Amendment under the guise of public safety. The reality is that most gun crimes are committed with traditionally manufactured firearms, not homemade ones, making this ruling more about restricting lawful gun owners than stopping criminals.

A Call to Action

Americans must push back against judicial overreach and demand that Congress and state legislatures reaffirm the rights of individuals to make their own firearms. The right to bear arms is meaningless if citizens cannot legally obtain or manufacture them. As we have seen throughout history, government overreach in gun regulation is rarely reversed without active opposition.

The Supreme Court had an opportunity to uphold constitutional principles, but instead, it chose to allow bureaucratic overreach to dictate new firearm restrictions. This fight is far from over, and gun owners must stay vigilant to protect their rights.