If you’re willing to do anything necessary to protect your loved ones, you may just be an everyday hero ready to spring into action if the day comes when you are put to the test.

The Facts of Home Defense

Crime statistics show that about one in three violent crimes occurred in or near the victim’s own home, which makes the defense of your Castle and family of the utmost importance. Real heroes save their families from would-be home invaders every day. Still, unfortunately, mainstream media outlets often ignore stories of firearm-wielding heroes, choosing instead to focus on criminals using firearms to commit violent crimes. In this video, we’re going to highlight some of those everyday heroes we’ve seen as Independent Program Attorneys for U.S. LawShield.

A Single Shot Is All It Takes

One woman became an everyday hero when she defended herself and her husband from a violent break-in. In her late seventies, she used a walker to get around the home. Even with her diminished mobility, she had to be the protector of the household because her husband was suffering from a terminal illness and was primarily confined to bed.

One evening, she heard the door fly open and violently smash into the living room wall. She stepped out of her bedroom, .38 caliber pistol in hand, ready to do what was needed to be done to keep herself and her husband safe. When the home invader rushed toward her, she fired a single shot, hitting him in the stomach. The criminal survived his injuries, but the shot bought her the time and safety she needed to call 911 and for the police to respond to her home.

Keep the Weapons Within Reach for Home Defense

Another incredible example came from a man who may have saved his family by falling asleep in front of the TV. One Saturday evening, this gentleman decided to stay up and continue watching a movie while his wife and children went upstairs to bed. He fell asleep on the couch, but was startled awake by the sound of male voices coming from his backyard. He jumped off the couch, grabbed his pistol, and crept towards the back door. To his horror, just as he got to the back door someone kicked it open.

Startled, our soon-to-be-defender found himself staring at two men in dark clothes, one holding a crowbar and the other an empty duffel bag. Instinctively raising his pistol, he fired at the perpetrators as fast as his trigger finger would allow. The men fled the property into the night—uninjured, but no longer a danger. After a police investigation, authorities concluded he was within his rights to defend his Castle.

Both of these U.S. LawShield members had to react quickly and decisively. When push came to shove, their heroics saved their families from trauma, injury, and perhaps death. A common claim from gun grabbers, and those who attack our civil right of self-defense, is that we can, and should, leave our safety and well-being up to law enforcement professionals rather than taking it into our own hands. That would be just fine if criminals would limit their attacks to the moments when the police are standing right next to us. The truth of the matter is that when seconds count, the police (unfortunately) are oftentimes minutes away.

This does not mean that you do not have to call emergency services during or following an attack or home invasion.

Five Key Steps to Making an Emergency Call

But remember, even when you have been the hero, police are investigating a potential crime. That is why you must keep your call to 911 simple and concise. Follow these five crucial steps during your call:

  1. Provide your name.
  2. Give the location of your emergency.
  3. Inform the operator of the services needed (typically police and EMS).
  4. Make a very short truthful statement about the defensive incident (for example: “I was just attacked and had to defend myself” or “I was just the victim of a home invasion”).
  5. And finally, hang up the phone.

Your adrenaline will be pumping, your brain will be going a mile a minute trying to keep up with what has just happened. Following these five steps will help to ensure you don’t blurt something out on the 911 call that might hurt you later down the line in court, such as: “He deserved it,” “I’m sorry,” or “I’m going to jail.”

As soon as you hang up with 911, you need to talk to an attorney immediately. U.S. LawShield members have access to an Attorney-Answered Emergency Hotline that is answered 24 hours a day. It’s important to remember, every self-defense situation is different, and only an attorney will be able to advise you on your specific circumstance. On top of that, every state’s law regarding the defense of Castle is different. And it is just as important to learn your state’s law before you have to defend your home as it is to consult with an attorney after a defensive incident occurs.

If you have any questions about the laws of home defense, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.

The information provided in this presentation is intended to provide general information to individuals and is not legal advice. The information included in this publication may not be quoted or referred to in any other publication without the prior written consent of U.S. LawShield, to be given or withheld at our discretion. The information is not a substitute for, and does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. We strive to ensure the information included in this publication is accurate and current, however, no claim is made to the accuracy of the information and we are not responsible for any consequences that may result from the use of information in this publication. The use of this publication does not create an attorney-client relationship between U.S. LawShield, any independent program attorney, and any individual.