In the week before the Thanksgiving holiday, I received some interesting letter mail, the acknowledgement of renewal to the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network. This makes ten years I’ve been a member – and I’ve never needed it for legal defense.

That’s something important for which to give thanks; I never want to allow the situation where such a benefit would be necessary. It’s why I continue pistol practice and study ‘beyond basic’ about interpersonal unpleasantness – not because I want to, but in preparation.

That part’s rehearsal. I recently saw a discussion by our Tactical Professor, Claude Werner, about avoidance as a practiced habit. He mentioned the practice of looking first; call the ‘security halt’ in the vicinity of the defensive perimeter – or your starting point. This is a ca. five second observation period to “accustom yourself to the sights and sounds of the battlefield.”

What is wrong? What doesn’t fit, is out of place? Is it not your “right world?” If something’s different, there’s a reason. Ask yourself “why?” And ask if it’s that critical to continue on your mission.

Practice avoidance.

The best way to deal with chronic deadly illness is to avoid contracting it. Same with violence; use the ACLDN board member John Farnam’s formulation: the “stupid rules.”

Don’t go to stupid places with stupid people and do stupid things; you quickly find out that you can win the “stupid prize.”

While ‘defending your community,” etc. can be an erstwhile goal, it’s also prone to put you downrange of potentially deadly opposition. If you succeed at defeating that threat, you are still subject to criminal prosecution.

Avoidance is ‘king.’ When the avoidance and escape isn’t enough, confrontation and resistance is all that’s left. Then you face the threat of those who’ll judge your actions. That gets expensive.

Why not some ‘insurance solution’ to legal defense?

I don’t know enough about them to offer an opinion. I do know something about the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network. Partly, it’s because I know a number of the people involved in the program.

What is the network? First off, it’s not insurance. Quoting from the Network, “There is no insurance component in our member benefits. Nor are we a pre-paid legal service plan. We do not have any attorneys on staff or under contract to assign to handle your case.”

It’s simply a funding mechanism for legal defense. Strong on education and training, the best defense is preparation. It’s best to have it and not need it. If it’s needed, after consultation the Network ensures a fee retainer is prepared so you have access to counsel for immediate needs.

The goal is to help a prosecutor determine there’s no criminal act on the part of the victim/network member. If the case is advanced anyway, the network will continue assistance in funding a legal defense of the legitimate self-defense case. (They’re not out to defend criminals.)

What’s the cost? “Network membership costs $135 per year and additional household members may be added to the membership for an additional $60/yr. each. Three-year memberships are available for $295 and 10-year memberships for $790.”

When you consider the five-digit sum necessary just to open a potential legal defense – let alone the costs of trial – it’s quite reasonable. Check out the ‘insurance’ types of programs and give the Network a look too. Do your own comparison, make your best judgement.

And give thanks for all your blessings.

-- Rich Grassi