---
title: Self Defense Conundrum
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---

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# Self Defense Conundrum

### Sometimes you can do everything right and still face charges!

There are numerous cases where individuals have been wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit, a situation that is particularly distressing when it involves someone acting in self-defense. Regrettably, defending oneself in a legal setting entails presenting testimonies, evidence, expert witnesses, and arguments that could potentially sway a jury's biases. This is why we ensure that every CCW Safe member has access to the necessary resources, skills, expertise, and financial support to uphold their innocence following a self-defense incident.

 

![S\_D\_Conundrum\_16x9](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/S_D_Conundrum_16x9.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=S_D_Conundrum_16x9.jpg)

## In Self Defense Podcast 122

### The Self Defense Conundrum

Shawn and Don look at the Self Defense Conundrum of how you can do everything right in a self defense incident yet still find yourself in prison through things outside of your control.

[![Listen Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39654901/40e77a0e-4671-448a-947b-9514ca8e95e5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/39654901/40e77a0e-4671-448a-947b-9514ca8e95e5)

![placeholder-large-square-1](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/placeholder/placeholder-large-square-1.jpeg?width=1196&height=789&name=placeholder-large-square-1.jpeg)

## Why Is Proper Defense Essential?

### Sometimes, an innocent person who cannot afford a proper defense can end up in jail. 

Each state is required to disprove any one of the five elements of self-defense in order to win the case. What this means is that each element is a target, and the prosecution may work hard to find just one element that they can attack. It is not a matter of whether or not the accused threatened, injured, or killed another person as they have already admitted that they did.  However, the accused contends that the action took place because of the direct actions of the other person.  Concealed carriers should be aware that judges sometimes make improper rulings during the trial, and that the win rate for cases that prosecutors take to trial may be as high as 90%. The consequences for unlawfully using a firearm to threaten, harm, or kill another person are harsh. Set out below are some examples:

- Murder: Life in prison.
- Manslaughter: 15 to 40 years in prison.
- Aggravated Assault/Battery: 10 to 20 years in prison.
- Brandishing/Menacing: Jail time may vary but attorney costs including fines may be as high as $100,000 or even more.

[Learn More](https://info.ccwsafe.com/proper-defense-is-essential?hsLang=en#article)

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## Find the Right Plan for You

### Try our Plan Advisor Tool

We have many plans to accommodate member’s needs from those with Concealed Carry Permits to those without a Permit. We also have special plans for Law Enforcement, First Responders and Military Personnel.

To find the plan that is right for you, select the button below to receive plan recommendations.

[See Suggested Plans](https://ccwsafe.com/plan-advisor/)

 

## Podcast

### In Self Defense – Episode 105: Post Incident Actions Pt.1

Firearms instructor Steve Moses joins Don West and Shawn Vincent to discuss the critical actions a defender should take in the immediate wake of a self-defense shooting.

[Listen Now](https://ccwsafe.com/resources/in-self-defense-episode-105-post-incident-actions-pt-1/)

### In Self Defense Podcast 118: John Farnam

Legendary firearms instructor John Farnam talks to the gang about “soft skills” that can keep an armed defender out of avoidable conflicts, and make them hard to convict after a necessary use of force incident. 

[Listen Now](https://ccwsafe.com/resources/in-self-defense-podcast-118-john-farnam/)

 

## Featured Articles

### George Alan Kelly: Conflicting Statements Can Lead to Convictions

After firing his AK-47 at a band of armed trespassers on his expansive Arizona ranch on the Mexican border, George Alan Kelly made multiple calls to authorities and gave statements to investigators. According to prosecutors, Kelly’s stories contained conflicting information that changed throughout the day.

[Read the Full Story](https://ccwsafe.com/resources/george-alan-kelly-conflicting-statements-can-lead-to-convictions/)

### Dean Cummings: Consciousness of Innocence

Dean Cummings acted strangely in the seconds, minutes, hours, and days before and after he shot Guillermo Arriola, and it significantly complicated his legal defense. The lesson for concealed carriers is that what you say and do before and after a shooting can have a huge impact on your self-defense claim.

[Read the Full Story](https://ccwsafe.com/resources/dean-cummings-consciousness-of-innocence/)

## Be Prepared with the Right Coverage

## Proper Defense Is Essential

**Innocent people who could not afford a proper defense sometimes end up in jail. **

"No one else brings in the team of experts in Legal and Law Enforcement that CCW Safe does to represent someone who has acted in self-defense."

\- *Andrew Branca*, Attorney, Law of Self-Defense 

 

<https://info.ccwsafe.com/self-defense-conundrum#form>

## Right Coverage, Right Expertise

**Holistic coverage matters for the worst moment of your life.** 

"CCW Safe acted swiftly on my behalf when I was involved in a self-defense act. Once they engaged my stress levels went way down, and I was able to get a good night's sleep. They provided the right expertise at the right time."

\- *John W.,* CCW Safe Member since 2021 

 

<https://info.ccwsafe.com/self-defense-conundrum#form>

## Care and Personal Attention

**We take a personal approach in defending your case, because we've been there. **

"As a member of CCW Safe who acted in   
self-defense, I was more than pleased with the high level of attention and expertise by my side through the whole ordeal of legally defending myself. Their deep investigative experience alongside the best self-defense attorney in the US uncovered the critical information that led to my ultimate freedom." 

\- *Stephen M.*, CCW Safe Member since 2015 

 

<https://info.ccwsafe.com/self-defense-conundrum#form>

## Questions About Memberships?

If you discharge a weapon in self-defense, you could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and expenses. CCW Safe Memberships have self-defense coverage that protects you in the aftermath of an incident.

- Upfront payment of defense costs
- No out-of-pocket for members
- Unlimited defense budgets
- Unmatched legal expertise
- Same support as police officers have
- Decades of legal, law enforcement, and investigative experience 

### We look forward to answering your questions.

![ccwsafe-logo-primary-03](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/logos/ccwsafe-logo-primary-03.svg)

 Download our [terms of service](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/PDFs/TermsofServiceFebruary2023.pdf?hsLang=en).

## CCW Safe Plans Include

To support our belief that every US Citizen has the right to defend themselves, our coverage for self-defense is extensive. Below are some of the key attributes of our plans that make us different from the rest. When it comes to the most traumatic time in your life, having the right coverage and the right expertise by your side is paramount.

![Group-534](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Group-534.svg)

### No Caps, No out of pocket

![Group-530](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Group-530.svg)

### No Recoupment

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### Critical Response Team on Staff

![Group-530-1](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Group-530-1.svg)

### Personal Care

![Group-530-2](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Group-530-2.svg)

### Industry’s Highest Coverage Amounts

![Vector-1](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Vector-1.svg)

### Deep Legal Expertise

![Group-530-3](https://info.ccwsafe.com/hubfs/Group-530-3.svg)

### Comprehensive Coverage

## Plans and Memberships

### PLAN ADVISOR

### **Find the right plan for you.**

We have many plans to accommodate member’s needs from those with Concealed Carry Permits to those without a Permit. We also have special plans for Law Enforcement, First Responders and Military Personnel.

To find the plan that is right for you, select the button below to receive plan recommendations.

[![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39654901/7ee76268-ed6b-43d3-afd0-b24c658d06ec.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/39654901/7ee76268-ed6b-43d3-afd0-b24c658d06ec)

### MEMBERSHIP

### **Right Coverage. Right Expertise.**

Holistic coverage matters for the worst moment of your life. When you are forced to defend yourself or your family, it is a traumatic event that can impact your life on both a personal and professional level. Knowing that you have a team of experts ready to activate for your defense brings peace of mind and a good night’s sleep.

We take a holistic approach with our top legal counsel and experienced homicide investigators bringing their insights to your case immediately while also addressing the emotional and mental side with added peer support and licensed psychologists for both you and your family.

[![See Plans](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39654901/aeb03c63-f1ff-4173-a05b-fcd389c1d7cd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/39654901/aeb03c63-f1ff-4173-a05b-fcd389c1d7cd)

### Need an question answered? Call the Member Services Team M-F (8a.m. - 5p.m. CST) at 855-639-2297.

[Contact Us](https://info.ccwsafe.com/self-defense-conundrum#form)

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