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Brian’s life turned upside down in 2019 when he shot his ex-wife''s violent ex-boyfriend in self-defense. Arrested and charged with first-degree murder, the North Carolina Army veteran faced months in jail, fighting to prove his innocence. His lawyer, Kevin Marcilliat, of the USCCA Attorney Network, believed in Brian’s self-defense claim and worked tirelessly to uncover inconsistencies in police reports. 

Despite the chaos, Brian’s faith and the support of the USCCA kept him hopeful. Key evidence, including witness testimonies and the distance from the shooter to the attacker, played a crucial role in his defense. After 110 days in jail, Brian was released on bond. 

Marcilliat’s persistent efforts led the district attorney to dismiss the case 144 days after the incident. Brian’s ordeal underscores the importance of preparation, legal protection and faith in navigating such life-altering events. Thankfully, his case never made it to trial. Brian credits his survival to both his faith and the USCCA''s support. He shudders to think what would have happened if he didn’t have that USCCA Membership. 

“I’d probably still be in jail,” Brian said. 

Jacouri Burns'' life changed forever on Jan. 30, 2021, after a party he organized in Lexington, Kentucky, turned violent. Burns, a college student and licensed firearms instructor, faced threats from a rapper over a financial dispute related to the party. When that performer attacked Burns following a chance encounter the next day and then ordered an accomplice to shoot him, Burns shot in self-defense. 

Burns was charged with murder and second-degree assault. His defense, led by John Olash, of the USCCA Attorney Network, presented crucial evidence, including surveillance footage and threatening messages from the rapper, to prove Burns acted in self-defense. 

The jury deliberated for two hours before finding Burns not guilty on all counts. Burns, now free, reflects on the ordeal with gratitude for his faith, family, and the USCCA, whose support was vital in his legal battle. 

“I owe [the USCCA] so much,” Burns reflected. “I could be dead or in prison if it wasn’t for you...” 

James Edwards, 61, lived a peaceful life in Alachua County, Florida. However, on Oct. 21, 2019, that changed dramatically. That evening, his fiancee’s son took Edwards’ car without permission while drunk and caused a hit-and-run accident. When confronted by Edwards, a violent altercation ensued. The younger man attacked Edwards, who, fearing for his life, shot him in self-defense. 

Edwards was charged with second-degree murder but maintained his innocence, claiming self-defense. The trial faced many delays and finally began in February 2023. Despite the prosecution’s efforts to paint Edwards in a negative light, his defense team, led by Alan Diamond, of the USCCA Attorney Network, effectively demonstrated his actions were justified. Edwards took the stand, reinforcing his fear for his life during the attack. 

After deliberation, the jury found Edwards not guilty of all charges. His ordeal underscored the complexities of self-defense cases and highlighted the importance of effective legal representation. 

“Without (the) USCCA, I’d be in prison or dead,” Edwards said. 

On a Friday evening in June 2016, during a heated union election, Cowart was viciously attacked in a parking lot in Chicago. He drew his Springfield 1911 and fired, hitting two men in the legs. As he fled to safety, Cowart called the Critical Response Team, who put him in contact with David McDermott, of the USCCA Attorney Network. McDermott advised Cowart, who would later learn he faced eight counts of attempted murder, to turn himself in. 

Cowart was released on bond, but lost his job and faced public scrutiny. After a year of legal proceedings, video of the incident ultimately exonerated him in his trial. He was found not guilty on all charges. Cowart fought for another year to regain his job and back pay, finally achieving justice and relief. 

When it came to the USCCA, Cowart said he found it comforting that he knew “a company had my back” during the most stressful period in his life and connected him with a top-notch attorney.  

“That was the best feeling.” 

One day a USCCA Member, alone in her office, heard pounding on the back door. Seconds later, an intruder broke through the commercial-grade door. Terrified, she grabbed her Smith & Wesson revolver and cell phone, but couldn''t reach 911. When the intruder advanced despite her warnings, she shot him in the neck, paralyzing him. Police, chasing the intruder for theft from a nearby store, arrived soon after. 

The incident led to intense media scrutiny and prolonged legal uncertainty. The family of the intruder painted him as a victim in the media, while she remained silent on the advice of her attorney (a member of the USCCA Attorney Network). The district attorney took weeks to declare the shooting self-defense and declare that no charges would be filed against the Member, causing her significant stress.  

Later, the USCCA Member reinforced her office security and now carries her firearm at all times. She advocates for self-reliance and praises the USCCA for its support. 

“If you’re going to carry, you need to be a member of [the] USCCA,” she said. 

On May 31, 2022, John and Billie Jo Wollaston faced a horrifying attack inside their Elizabethtown, Kentucky home. Their daughter, Jessica, and her boyfriend, Todd, violently assaulted them. Fearing for their lives, John, an Army veteran, retrieved his SIG P365 and held the attackers at bay. The police arrived, but instead of finding solace, John was arrested. 

This incident triggered a "seven-month nightmare" for the Wollastons, who faced legal battles, financial strain, and family turmoil. Attorney John Olash, a member of the USCCA Attorney Network, was eventually successful in getting John’s charges of four felony counts of wanton endangerment and two misdemeanor counts of assault dismissed, but not before John lost his job and he and his wife spent months in fear and uncertainty. Despite their ordeal, the Wollastons have been able to rebuild their lives, in large part, due to their USCCA membership. 

“When you have a membership, you have the resources to get a legal team that can try to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible,” Olash said. 

It’s hard to imagine the fear and adrenaline running through your body as someone fires a gun at you six times, but that’s exactly what happened to Prince Riley on Oct. 15, 2021. He was showing dirt bikes to potential buyers at his West Covina, California home, when one man pulled a gun, threatening to kill everyone. As the intruder fired, Riley, a USCCA Member, managed to draw his Glock and fire a single, fatal shot in self-defense. 

The man’s accomplice fled but later returned to retrieve the gun. Riley, his brother, and a friend subdued the accomplice until police arrived. Despite the clear self-defense scenario, Riley was detained by the police and questioned for 12 hours. 

Soon Riley got in touch with the USCCA, who put him in touch with attorney Andy Beltran, a member of the USCCA Attorney Network. Beltran’s thorough investigation and evidence presentation to the police led to the case being closed as lawful self-defense. Riley’s experience highlights the importance of being prepared and having access to experienced legal support in self-defense situations. 

In August 2022, Darell Daniels and Doncell Roshon-Hauser faced a harrowing incident in Los Angeles. Just before their wedding, Daniels'' ex-wife appeared, accompanied by two men, demanding custody of the children from their previous marriage. The confrontation got heated and escalated, leading Daniels and Roshon-Hauser to brandish firearms for protection. Both sides of the dispute called 911, resulting in a police response that included helicopters and squad cars. Despite complying with police instructions, Daniels and Roshon-Hauser were handcuffed, strip-searched, and charged with assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Due to difficulty accessing their USCCA card, they were forced to post bail with their wedding savings (which was reimbursed by UFCIC within two days of contact).  

The support they received through the self-defense liability insurance benefit of their USCCA Membership helped them navigate the legal aftermath. The couple was connected with attorney Andy Beltran, a member of the USCCA Attorney Network. Eventually, charges were dropped after the couple agreed to complete a firearms training course. 

“Andy Beltran was amazing,” Daniels said. “And the USCCA, for $39 a month … you wouldn’t drive without car insurance. Own a house without insurance. Famous pianists insure their hands. You don’t know the outcome of any gun situation so you’ve got to have support. Joining the USCCA is the best purchase we’ve made in California.” 

On the evening of March 21, 2018, Bruce Peltonen, a Florida resident, was arrested for protecting the mobile home community he was managing. A reverend and veteran, Bruce and his wife had lived peacefully in their Florida neighborhood for over 8 years.  

While doing yard work, Peltonen noticed a tow truck go past and he began walking toward his neighbor’s house where it had parked. That’s when he witnessed one of the tow truck operators physically attacking his neighbor.  

“I heard a lot of yelling and screaming, and waving arms,” Bruce recalled. “Watch out!” his neighbor yelled to him, ducking to avoid a blow as the enraged tow truck driver turned towards Bruce. Peltonen watched in horror as the situation quickly escalated. “The tow truck operator stuck his hand in his pocket rather abruptly, looking at the car owner and then looking over at me. I had a gut feeling, just a knot in my stomach, that something was going to go wrong real bad.” 

Fearing for his life and the members of his community, Bruce pulled out his gun and told the tow driver not to draw his, asking him instead to leave. He escorted the attacker to his truck and watched while the man put his gun away in the vehicle.  

Bruce called the police and waited for them to arrive. And when they did, Bruce was handcuffed and taken to jail while the assailant was allowed to go free despite multiple eyewitnesses and an interrogation of the tow truck driver. Bruce who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.  

Fortunately, Bruce had thought to pull out his USCCA Member card before he was hauled off to jail. With it, his wife called the Critical Response Team who connected her to attorney Alan Diamond.  

Peltonen’s entire community turned out to support him, calling Diamond with testimony about his character and protection. Within 4 hours, his $2,000 bond was posted for him and Bruce was a free man once again.  

“I was able to sleep in my own bed that night”, Peltonen said, “I highly recommend the USCCA to anybody that’s carrying a weapon. You leave home with your weapon, [then] leave home with the USCCA in your wallet.” 

Kerri Ann McGrath, of Florida, faced a frightening situation while visiting friends. During an argument between her friend and her friend’s boyfriend, the boyfriend became aggressive and shoved McGrath to the ground, trapping her. Remembering past trauma, McGrath drew her concealed handgun. The boyfriend immediately backed off, and McGrath escaped, calling 911. 

When officers arrived, they initially questioned her actions. Despite McGrath’s insistence that she acted in self-defense, a deputy doubted her story and considered pressing felony charges. McGrath contacted the Critical Response Team, and attorney Alan Diamond, a member of the USCCA Attorney Network, soon intervened on her behalf. This swift legal response prevented McGrath from being charged. 

“When I bump into people, I tell them about the USCCA,” McGrath said. “I tell them about self-defense legal protection and that you think it can’t ever happen to you, but it happened to me. I cringe when I think about how many people I know [who] carry and don’t have legal protection.” 

On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, Wayne Pert woke to a nudge and his girlfriend’s whisper. She had heard a noise outside their remote trailer near Steinhatchee, Florida. Pert, a USCCA Member, investigated and found a man at the bottom of their steps, claiming his vehicle had run out of gas. 

Suddenly, without warning, the man pulled out a handgun and shot Pert twice. The attacker charged into the trailer toward Pert’s girlfriend. Pert, despite his injuries, managed to draw his own gun and fire back, ultimately killing the man. 

Police quickly arrived on the scene. They informed Pert that the attacker was wanted for shooting a police deputy the night before. Pert faced no charges for his heroic actions. 

Pert appreciates that the USCCA was there for him following the incident, and he values the education and training offered to him through his membership. 

“I just think it’s a great organization for people that carry a weapon and want to try to protect themselves and their families,” he said. 

Luke Carter, 29, had no choice but to shoot a pit bull with his 9mm SIG Sauer P365 to save his Labrador mix and protect his father. On Feb. 2, 2021, during a walk near his Des Moines, Iowa, home, two pit bulls charged. Carter’s father spotted them first, but one of the dogs attacked swiftly. Carter kicked the attacking dog but to no avail. The pit bull seized his dog’s neck, forcing Carter to shoot twice. The wounded dog retreated, and Carter called 911 and the Critical Response Team for support. The police confiscated his gun but later returned it. They determined Carter acted in self-defense, and he was not charged. 

Carter praised the USCCA’s educational videos in helping him through the incident. Although the assault happened very fast, thanks to the education he received through his membership, he was conscious of what was on the other side of the dog that might be struck by one of his shots. 

It can be nothing short of terrifying to watch a man get out of a car in front of you and slam his fists onto your car’s hood. But on June 25, 2022, that’s exactly what happened to Harry Stuart Dubin and his wife as they were driving to a grocery store in Shreveport, Louisiana. Stopped behind a vehicle at a traffic light, they waited a few seconds after the light turned green for the car in front of them to move forward. When it didn’t, Dubin issued a courtesy honk to alert the driver. The car quickly sped off but soon slowed down and cut the Dubins’ vehicle off. That’s when the attack began. 

Fearing for their safety, Dubin shifted into drive and “bumped the man off” the hood before driving the rest of the way to the grocery store. The aggressor followed, and upon reaching the Dubins’ parked vehicle, he began slamming his fists into the car again, prompting the couple to call 911. With the man smashing against the driver’s window now, Dubin, believing he and his wife were in immediate danger, drew his .45-caliber Springfield XD-S and shot the assailant through the glass. The wounded man fled. 

“Realizing the situation had ended and it was safe,” Dubin remembered, “I put USCCA training into high gear. I placed the Springfield on the dash and waited for the police.” 

Police verified Dubin’s self-defense claim through witnesses and store cameras. He wasn’t charged, and the attacker apologized publicly. 

It was around 8 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2021 ... just another regular night for rideshare driver Scott Javoroski. That’s when his phone pinged with his first ride request of the night. The 51-year-old father of five from the Milwaukee area was heading to the city for his weekend rideshare driver gig. 

The request came from a man named “Alpha,” and when Javoroski arrived at the pickup location, two masked men approached. Masks were not unexpected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the rideshare company required them for all riders at the time. But suddenly, the masked men attacked Javoroski, trying to force him out of the vehicle. Javoroski, who carries a handgun, managed to draw his weapon, causing the attackers to flee. He then called 911 and cooperated with police. 

The following day, Javoroski, a longtime USCCA Member, contacted the USCCA to make sure the details of the incident were recorded. Police never pressed any charges against him. His attackers remain at large. 

James Ott heard a noise in his Ohio home office on the afternoon of Aug. 15, 2019. Investigating, the 79-year-old found a large man holding one of his walking canes. The man threatened to kill him and attacked, brutally beating Ott on the head, causing wide cuts and a concussion. Ott was able to draw his gun on the intruder, and the man fled. 

Responding police were puzzled why Ott didn’t pull the trigger. Ott, a USCCA Member since 2013, explained that as soon as he drew his gun, the intruder backed away and was no longer a threat. 

The man was later caught in Pennsylvania, linked to a past legal dispute involving Ott. Ott believes his faith guided his decision not to shoot. Despite the ordeal, he remains steadfast in his choice and grateful for the outcome. 

Mike Maloney, 70, a retired Ford Motor Company worker and U.S. Army veteran spends his days working on cars in his garage in Clermont County, Ohio. One evening in the fall of 2019, while his wife was babysitting their granddaughter, Maloney found an intruder in their kitchen. The intruder had trashed the place and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Maloney, a USCCA Member, drew his pistol and ordered the man to stay put. 

Maloney called 911 and held the man at gunpoint until sheriff''s deputies arrived. Police later informed him that the man was indeed high on drugs and had earlier been detained for sleeping in a road but had been released from a nearby hospital. 

“My training in the Army and what I’ve since learned from the U.S. Concealed Carry Association gave me the confidence to handle an intruder in my house, to hold him at gunpoint and wait for the sheriff without shooting,” Maloney explained. 

On Aug. 25, 2012, just before 6 a.m., Jason Cohen’s dogs went berserk at the front door of his rural Montvale, Virginia, home. The 50-year-old construction contractor wasn’t expecting visitors. He cracked the door open to find a young man in a stupor, offering $1,000 for a ride to Roanoke. Cohen declined the offer and quickly closed the door. When the man refused to leave and began threatening to break down the door, Cohen called 911. 

Cohen, a longtime USCCA Member and firearms training enthusiast, drew his handgun as the standoff continued. The man on the porch eventually moved to an elderly neighbor’s house, breaking in through her window. Cohen called the neighbor’s son, who quickly arrived with a shotgun. The suspect fled before law enforcement reached Cohen’s house. Deputies later found the intruder a few miles away. He later received six months in jail for breaking and entering.  

“I’m a responsibly armed citizen,” Cohen stated. “The responsibility part means knowing what to do and knowing what not to do. I didn’t come out guns-a-blazin’.” 

Two men picked the wrong target at the FiveStar Food Mart in Paducah, Kentucky. Chuck Smick, 63, a USCCA Member and Army veteran, was armed with his Springfield XD .45. As a certified firearms instructor, he lives in Condition Yellow and trains regularly. 

Exhausted from a long work week, Smick was pumping gas when his wife noticed two nearby men behaving suspiciously. One of the men attempted to distract Smick while the other circled behind him. When one of the men noticed Smick’s handgun printing through his t-shirt, both men quickly retreated. Smick and his wife left the scene. 

Looking back, Smick regrets not calling the police. He believes the men intended harm and credits his readiness for preventing an attack. Other less situationally aware individuals may not have been so fortunate if they were targeted. Smick stresses the importance of staying alert and being prepared, noting that danger can strike anywhere. He also used the incident as motivation to reassess his cover garment choices and to ensure that his handgun is always fully concealed. 

On September 25, 2022, a USCCA Member found herself in a nightmare scenario. The 37-year-old female trucker had rented a room while staying in San Bernardino, California. She didn’t know her soon-to-be roommates before moving in, but felt she was safe since the house was owned by a family friend.  

On the night of the 25th, one of her male roommates took an aggressive interest in her. Despite her repeated protests and attempts to evade him, he persistently harassed her, following her throughout the apartment and becoming increasingly more violent and agitated. 

When he followed her into the bathroom and prevented her from closing the door, she knew she had to act. She ran from the bathroom, grabbing her gun from her purse. Her attacker then became violent. "I fired one round because he got on top of me, because he pushed me down, pushed me against the wall," she recounted. 

The one round she fired missed, but the attack stopped there. When the police arrived, however, she was arrested and charged with discharge of a firearm with gross negligence (a felony) and exhibiting a firearm (a misdemeanor). She spent nearly a month behind bars before remembering that she had a USCCA Membership.  

Her new attorney, Andy Beltran from the USCCA Attorney Network, took her case over from the public defender''s office and was able to quickly get her bailed out. He then leveraged substantial evidence, including the 911 call and security footage, to argue that her case was clearly self-defense. A few weeks later, the DA''s office notified Beltran that they had agreed to dismiss the case. 

It’s a nightmare no one should have to experience, but unfortunately, it happened to a USCCA Member who was simply on his way to his car to grab his lunch. 

The Member was on a break from his job when out of nowhere, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet attacked… The assailant struck quickly, hitting him in the back of the head with an unknown object. The Member was briefly disoriented, having never seen or expected an assault coming (the attacker had mistaken him for one of the bouncers at a local bar who had recently kicked him out). Fearing for his life, the Member drew his firearm and shot the attacker, who tragically died at the scene. 

The Member was taken to jail and later charged with murder. Thankfully, his lawyer from the USCCA Attorney Network was able to get him released on his own recognizance after having spent only two days in jail.  

Over the course of a year, the USCCA Member’s counsel attended numerous meetings, conferences, and court appearances with three different prosecutors assigned to the case. After an emotionally exhausting and difficult journey through the legal system, his counsel was able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss the case. 

His lawyer later wrote, “I think your members will be delighted to know that even though a USCCA Member may be charged with murder, with the help of an attorney from the USCCA Attorney Network, they can achieve a victory!” 

A history of violence, and a protector arrested… For over two years, Diaz and his wife had experienced hostility from a man who had been married to their friend. At one point, they had even helped her escape from him, leading to multiple police reports filed against him for harassment. 

One day, Diaz’s wife looked out the window and saw a man underneath his truck in their driveway. Alarmed, she called for Diaz, who immediately went outside to confront him. Upon seeing him, the man bolted. 

Diaz chased after him, and the man jumped into his vehicle. Instead of making an escape though, the would-be robber actually attempted to run Diaz over. A heated struggle followed, during which Antonio''s firearm accidentally fell from his pocket. Diaz’s wife quickly called 911, and soon the police arrived. Despite the chaotic scene, the officers charged Diaz with battery with a deadly weapon and three other felonies based on the man''s allegations. Shockingly, the thief actually accused Diaz of brandishing!   

Through the determined efforts of his legal team, Diaz managed to negotiate a plea deal. He pled guilty to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace and paid a small fine, avoiding the severe consequences of the initial charges. 

On Thanksgiving Day, a 64-year-old USCCA Member found himself fighting for his life outside of a gas station. He had just been inside, chatting with the cashier as he made his selections. This irritated a nearby 32-year-old patron who was growing impatient while waiting behind him. The situation quickly escalated into a verbal altercation, and the angry patron stormed out of the store. Unknown to the member though, the man remained waiting just outside... 

As the USCCA Member exited, the irate patron launched a brutal attack, striking him on the head and body several times, knocking him to the ground. That’s when the member drew his firearm and shot the assailant, who collapsed and died at the scene. Another man then began rushing toward the member, who thought he was an accomplice. He fired again, injuring the second individual (who later turned out to be the attacker’s father). 

The USCCA Member''s nightmare ordeal was far from over. 

A little over a month later, he was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and armed criminal action. He was able to enlist the help of multiple attorneys, who promptly informed the USCCA about his situation. 

Almost three years later, after hearing the evidence and arguments, the jury acquitted the USCCA Member of all charges. However, the member was then sued in a civil lawsuit for wrongful death for the injuries inflicted on the attacker''s father. This case was settled confidentially, with the member protected from paying any expenses related to the criminal case, civil case, or settlement. Without the coverage for the settlement, the USCCA Member would have faced financial ruin, despite his lawful actions. 

Throughout this harrowing journey, the Member received unwavering support from the USCCA, which ensured he didn''t bear the financial consequences of defending his life. 

USCCA Member C.R. didn’t know why the man was acting so aggressively, but he was soon within 10 feet and getting closer. The man growled, “You better have a gun because I am going to kill you...” 

The confrontation came about after the occupants of a home a few houses down from where C.R. lived had been evicted and much of the house’s contents had been placed at the curb. Noticing that some of the items were now on the street, C.R. stopped to move them back onto the sidewalk. 

Another man who had been around the area of the items and was now about a half block away turned suddenly and came towards him, shouting and screaming obscenities … and then the threat of death. Fearing for his life, C.R. drew a firearm and fired once, then three more times as the man continued towards him. Before he could get to C.R., he crumbled to the ground and died. 

C.R. called the Delta Defense Critical Response Team who contacted an attorney for him. After the police department investigation of the episode was complete, the incident was presented to a grand jury which declined to indict or charge C.R. with a crime.  

In October 2017, following an unprovoked altercation in a Chicago bar, Francisco Munoz, his pregnant fiance, and his brother prepared to head home. But one of the men from the group who assaulted Munoz and his brother inside the bar spotted them and began yelling to his friends. Seconds later, an SUV raced toward them, narrowly missing Munoz and striking his brother. Terrified, Munoz saw his brother caught on the hood of the passing vehicle. He drew his legally carried concealed handgun and fired in an attempt to get the vehicle to stop. Some of the shots hit the man standing in the parking lot who had alerted his friends. 

Munoz was arrested and charged with eight counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated battery, and three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. He faced a potential life sentence. Munoz, a USCCA Member, contacted the Critical Response Team and was quickly put in touch with experienced attorney Dave McDermott, a member of the USCCA Attorney Network. 

The bench trial lasted nearly two years and was filled with intense preparation and emotional strain for Munoz. The judge ultimately found Munoz not guilty. Without the USCCA''s support, Francisco almost certainly wouldn’t have been able to afford a competent defense. His attorney fees totaled more than $176,000, according to McDermott. 

With his upcoming wedding just two days away, USCCA Member Jonathan Dowling had a lot on his mind. Even so, while driving home from work, he decided to stop by his elderly mother’s home to check on her. When he arrived, his brother-in-law was there along with his 13-year-old nephew who was across the street mowing a lawn for a neighbor. While he was mowing, the next-door neighbor to Dowling’s mother had let his two pit bulls out, who quickly got under the fence and chased after the nephew. The teenager took off running towards a boat that was parked in the driveway, hopped into it, and started screaming for help. 

Dowling and his brother-in-law ran to help and quickly found themselves in a heated argument with the dogs’ owner. That’s when Jonathan took out his firearm, telling the owner to get control of his dogs. The owner grabbed his dogs and then called the police on Dowling. 

Because a gun was involved, Dowling was arrested for felony assault and was put in jail. Less than three months later, the court dismissed the charges against Dowling. As for Dowling’s jail time, his lawyer from the USCCA Attorney Network was able to get him released on the Saturday after the incident, just in time to attend his own wedding. 

On October 7, 2022, around 10:30 p.m., 62-year-old USCCA Member Michael Hedman could tell something wasn’t right when he noticed a homeless woman next to a utility building in his gated community. He and his wife had been walking home after visiting his elderly mother when they noticed the woman. Michael instructed his wife to go home and contact security. When the security officer arrived, he asked the woman to leave, but she refused and he went to his car to call law enforcement. 

Meanwhile, Michael also asked the woman to leave but she wouldn’t. He grabbed a cart that belonged to her to move it to the sidewalk. While he was moving it, the woman screamed at Michael not to touch her things. She then got up from where she was sitting and ran at him. He quickly grabbed his pocket knife, but the woman slammed into him before he could defend himself. She grabbed the knife and cut his arm multiple times. Michael was able to push the woman to the ground where he unarmed her of the knife. 

Michael describes himself as pretty much a regular guy, teaching children how to play chess in an after-school program as well as being a part-time pastor in a local church. That’s what made it ever more surprising that while receiving treatment in the hospital, a detective stopped in and charged Michael with assault with a deadly weapon. Thankfully, all charges were dropped and instead, were brought against the woman for stabbing Michael. 

USCCA Member Jeremy McCree stepped out onto the balcony of his apartment one afternoon to smoke a cigarette when he noticed what looked like several people from his neighborhood spray-painting racially charged words on the side of the apartment building (McCree was a minority in his neighborhood). The group even took the opportunity to mock him when they noticed him looking at them. 

Later, as he walked home from a local convenience store, what appeared to be the leader of the group from earlier tried to draw him into a fight. The man made a movement that looked to McCree like he was pulling a gun. That’s when McCree brandished his own firearm and fired once, hitting the attacker in the leg. 

McCree returned to his apartment, where he called the Critical Response Team and 911. But when the police arrived, they arrested McCree for attempted murder, put him in the back of a squad car, and took him to the local police station! 

The D.A. wanted McCree to serve in a state prison for nine years. But because of the quick action taken by the Critical Response Team, Jeremy had a lawyer from the USCCA Attorney Network who, instead of nine years behind bars, was able to get McCree NO jail time, 25 hours of community service, and attendance at a mandatory firearm safety class. 

On February 19, 2023, a USCCA Member went to his son’s house to attend his granddaughter’s Sweet 16 birthday party. When he arrived, he noticed a car on a lift inside his son’s onsite shop and realized it was his own wife''s car. He walked over to see what was wrong with it since he wasn’t aware of any problems. That’s when his other son, who was also in the shop, told him, “You have no right to know what’s going on with that car.” He started pressing against his father with his fists on his chest, backing him up to a workbench. At the time, the Member was 61 years old and disabled while his son, at 41 years of age (and who had recently been released from jail for violent offenses) was 6’2”, and muscular. 

His son noticed his father reaching for the pistol he kept in his front pocket, grabbed his hand, and tried to take the firearm. Just then, the other brother yelled at the two of them to separate. The Member got into his car and drove home, but didn’t want to call the police because he knew that his son would probably go back to prison. Instead, to his surprise, police officers wound up following him home, arresting him in his driveway, and charging him with domestic violence. 

After contacting the Critical Response Team, the USCCA Member was provided the services of a USCCA Attorney Network lawyer who was able to get the case dismissed. 

When the shooting finally stopped, the squad car had been hit three times – twice in the windshield and once in the rear door. And that’s only because he was on the scene for an unrelated assignment… 

Around 12 p.m. on July 13, 2020, a USCCA Member had been babysitting her grandson in her home when her son – who was also there at the time – was confronted by another man. Angry words were exchanged and the situation escalated until she told both men to exit the house. However, once they were in the street the situation only became more aggressive. Concerned, she went outside to try to de-escalate it.  

It was then that the other man pulled a gun on her son, who wasn’t armed. Luckily though, the man’s gun jammed, giving her time to draw her own gun and begin firing in defense. She missed, and three stray bullets ended up hitting the vehicle of an investigator who was in it nearby, bent across the passenger side of his car to avoid being shot.  

When the shooting stopped, the investigator left his car and detained the USCCA Member.  

She was charged with three counts of felony recklessly endangering safety. Her case was defended by Attorney Jillian Scheidegger from the USCCA Attorney Network where she was able to negotiate a plea whereby the charges were reduced to misdemeanors. Thanks to the intervention and hard work of Scheidegger, she was given no jail time and only ordered to pay a fine. 

71-year-old Max Miller was driving on the highway when he decided to move to the center lane. He never suspected that this seemingly simple act might land him behind bars… 

Suddenly, he noticed a car speeding up behind him, narrowly missing the back end of his car at what Miller estimated to be around 90 miles per hour.  

As the other driver came up alongside Miller''s car, he threw his hands up at him in frustration and then passed him. A moment later, he slowed down, then motioned Miller to pull over at which point he followed the other driver off the exit. As Miller came down the corner of the exit, the other driver had turned his car sideways and was out of his car, hands in the air, and seemed to be swearing at Miller.  

Both men got back into their cars and onto the highway, but this time, the other driver swerved towards Miller’s car, nearly missing him. As the other driver drew up next to him, it appeared he was leaning forward in his car, as if he were reaching for a weapon. That’s when Miller brandished his own firearm and the other driver backed off. 

Miller got on the phone with 911 and informed the operator of the situation. It wasn’t long after when the police pulled Miller over and swarmed his car. Even though he hadn’t fired a shot, he was taken to jail! Thanks to his USCCA Attorney Network lawyer, the charges Miller faced were reduced to one day of jail time (which he had already served) and a fine of $270. 

Brad Ensign was no stranger to high-pressure driving. His commute through Houston traffic had desensitized him to the almost daily reports of road rage incidents. His well-established route was one that he knew by heart, and had always kept him out of harm’s way, until one day everything changed…  

Without warning, a truck pulled violently in front of Ensign. “I never even saw him coming, but he came over so hard that I had to jerk over into the center lane.”  

The driver then pulled up beside him at the next light and Ensign quickly saw that the situation was going to escalate. The driver, visibility enraged, began screaming at him: “I kept telling him ‘just go on,” Ensign said, attempting to diffuse the situation.  

But instead of leaving, his attacker got out of the vehicle and began walking towards Ensign’s car. Ensign waited until the last possible second to deter his attacker, who had made a motion to reach in through the window. “He was probably within two steps away from my window,” he stated, “that’s when I just put the pepper spray up and sprayed straight forward.”  

Ensign’s pepper spray hit the assailant in the chest, but he knew he was still in danger. He began driving in an attempt to avoid his man and called 911 to report the incident. They instructed him to pull over, and he did until authorities reached the scene.  

After the police interviewed both Ensign and his attacker, Ensign was shocked to find out that he was getting a citation for using his pepper spray in self-defense! “You mean I defend myself against some crazy road rage guy and I’m the one getting a ticket?” he recalled. “I was just stunned.”  

Ensign and his wife called the USCCA, who connected him to attorney Matt Horak. With the help of attorney Horak, his case was dismissed and his record was cleared.  

“If Brad hadn’t come to us, and [had] just gone to represent himself. He could be facing a criminal conviction,” said Horek. “And after the criminal conviction, he could be facing civil penalties. He could be sued by the other person for thousands of dollars.” 

On June 26, 2019, a USCCA Member contacted the USCCA for help … from jail. He was arrested after enjoying some vacation time in Florida with his fiancé and her children. The arrest report alleged he had been in a verbal argument with his fiancé, pushed her, threatened her children, and then pointed a loaded firearm at her. Two days later, the court required a $20,000 cash bail and an initial payment for defense counsel (which was paid thanks to his USCCA Member Benefits).  

Thanks to further discovery, the case quickly fell apart because the fiancé had been intoxicated and she had started a fight. She charged at him, grabbing and forcefully bending back his thumb. It was also discovered that the Member kept his gun broken down specifically for the safety of the children, and he stated that his fiance didn’t know how to reassemble it, making her version of the story virtually impossible.  

In the end, the prosecutor dismissed the case because the alleged victim failed to respond to all attempts to gather information necessary for prosecution. 

On September 20, 2023, a USCCA Member visited a friend''s business to help set up a laptop he had sold her. Sitting on the lobby couch, he began installing software. Suddenly, two armed men burst in, guns drawn, demanding money from everyone there. 

The intruders threatened him, the business owner, her employees, and customers, telling them they would be shot if their demands weren’t met. One of the men approached him, pointed a gun directly at his head, and warned, "If you move, I will shoot you."  

The robber then began rummaging through drawers, looking for valuables to take, his gun still trained on the Member. In a moment of desperation and courage, he saw his chance. With the gunman momentarily distracted, he drew his firearm and fired twice. His shots struck the man who staggered toward the front door before collapsing outside. The second robber then fled the scene.  

Heart pounding, the Member called the police. Then, he called the Critical Response Team (a USCCA Member benefit) who connected him to attorney Kasey Castillo. Attorney Castillo responded immediately, offering steadfast support and remaining by his side throughout the night as he endured police questioning. 

The incident was thoroughly investigated, and the District Attorney ultimately decided not to file charges against the USCCA Member. His swift actions, taken in self-defense, were deemed justifiable  

Arrested 

While there, she noticed a boy on a bike handing something to her son, who then headed to the restroom. Concerned, she approached the restroom to check on him, but found her path blocked by the same boy on the bike. 

Worried about her son and refusing to be deterred, she pushed past the boy blocking her and entered the restroom, where she found three more boys. The group began advancing toward her, hurling derogatory remarks.  

Sensing that the situation was quickly escalating out of control, she raised her hand and firmly said, "Don''t." while lifting her jacket to reveal a firearm in her waistband. The boys stopped, and she quickly grabbed her son and left the scene.  

She never imagined that she would be arrested for trying to protect her son, but that’s exactly what happened next. The boys from the park reported the incident to law enforcement, and the Member was soon arrested and taken to the Beaumont Police Station. She was charged with felony child endangerment, misdemeanor battery, and brandishing a weapon. While the endangerment charge was eventually dropped, she still faced serious legal challenges. 

USCCA Attorney Network attorney Kasey Castillo was assigned to her case. Castillo negotiated with the prosecutor, successfully securing the USCCA Member a diversion program that included additional firearms training. She diligently completed the program''s requirements, leading to the dismissal of her charges. 

Her quick thinking and protective instincts, coupled with USCCA support, ensured her son''s safety and her own freedom.