Part I

Describes the issues to be addressed  by the course, including:  (1) what it is like, physically and mentally, to be in a deadly force confrontation; (2) the need to stay current and comply with your jurisdiction’s law of self-defense; (3) the need to interact with the legal system in the aftermath of a self-defense incident in ways that will (a) protect you against the legal system’s overreaching and anti-firearm approach to acts of self-defense and (b) best position you to avoid a criminal prosecution and civil suit; and (4) the real costs of defending against a criminal prosecution and/or a civil suit and how to obtain the financial resources that will be needed to cover those costs.


Part II

Provides you with legal guidelines for the defensive use of firearms in Virginia.  Describes the circumstances in which non-deadly force and deadly force are permitted.  Individually addresses each of the legal and factual elements required for a fully justified use of deadly force, including the requirements of:  (a) innocence/no fault on your part; (b) reasonable apprehension, arising from an attacker’s overt act, that you are facing an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm; (c) necessity; (d) appropriate intent; and (e) proportionality in terms of amount of force used and the duration of your use of force.  

Includes discussion of the following subjects:  

  • (i) what you are permitted to do in situations where your attacker is unarmed; 

  • (ii) the current controversy in Virginia law and the effect on your tactical response when an attacker only presents you with an ambiguous overt act; 

  • (iii) the protection you get from Virginia’s atrocious felony doctrine and its Castle Doctrine; 

  • (iv) the conditions in which you may lawfully use force to defend others; and 

  • (v) the possible effects of acting with intent to kill as compared to intent to stop the threat.


Explains Virginia’s brandishing statute.

Explains whether you are ever required to retreat in Virginia before resorting to force in self-defense.

Explains how to recover your right of self-defense in situations where you are initially at fault.

Explains how far you can go in dealing with a trespasser.

Explains the possible legal effects of altering your firearm.


Part III

Explains the steps you should take to maximize your chances of winning (and financially surviving) the legal battle that typically follows a defensive use of firearms.   

Explains important “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for interacting with 911 operators, police, prosecutors, judges, jurors, and your own legal counsel so that, in attempting to avoid arrest, you don’t turn a lawful use of force into a criminal conviction and/or a civil damages award against you. 

Explains how adrenaline adversely affects your actions in the immediate aftermath of a self-defense incident.

Explains the effect of inconsistent statements on your ability to win the legal battle that typically follows a self-defense incident.

Describes recommended approach to 911 call and interaction with police.

Describes best way to completely avoid criminal prosecution.

Explains different burdens in criminal and civil legal proceedings.


Explains the flaws/gaps/limits in typical homeowner’s or liability insurance policies which deprive you of coverage for a defensive use of firearms.

Provides a comparison of the insurance, legal services cooperatives, and prepaid legal services organizations you can choose from to obtain the resources needed to pay for your legal defense in the aftermath of a self-defense incident.  Explains the strengths and weaknesses of programs/products offered by USCCA, ACLDN, Second Call, U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe, Lockton Affinity, and XInsurance.com.

Describes the current state of coverage and inadequacy of the resources available to deal with red flag law proceedings.  

Recommends the best combination of affordable tools/services available in the marketplace to pay for your legal defense in the aftermath of a self-defense incident.


Part IV

Wraps up the course.

______________________________

ALL COURSES OFFER COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATES AND THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OFFERS A MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ACCESS ARE SHOWN IN THE FAQ.