WestChesterBuzz.com

With gun sales soaring, a West Chester Township trustee is banking that there will be a market for those who may need legal protection for armed self defense.

George Lang, a West Chester trustee, and defense attorney Sean Maloney of Liberty Township came up with the idea of offering self-defense membership plans 2 1/2 years ago, before launching Second Call Defense in late February.

Lang and other investors have spent $200,000 in legal fees to make their dream a reality. They have 500 members from Washington state to Florida, and hope hope to have to 100,000 members in two years.

Maloney says their program, which is backed by the NRA Endorsed Insurance Program, is the only one in the United States that provides comprehensive legal and financial resources for armed self defense.

Unlike self-defense coverage offered by the NRA, which doesn’t provide financial assistance until after the court process is over, Second Call Defense provides immediate help by providing money for bail and an attorney retainer. With that help, Maloney claims court appearances can be avoided.

“We knew that if a law-abiding citizen properly uses a firearm in self-defense and they have immediate representation, then the case is going to end right there,” Maloney said. “If you don’t have that representation, anything can happen.”

Second Call Defense provides five levels of coverage that range from $8.95 up to $35.95 a month. Besides offering bail and money for an attorney’s retainer, all levels offer a 24/7 emergency legal hotline, a local attorney referral, accidental shooting protection and criminal defense reimbursement.

Certain levels of coverage also provide compensation while in court, psychological support, on-site gun/legal training and civil suit defense protection.

To help avoid providing a criminal with legal support, Lang and his partners set up a foundation made up of investigators to determine if their clients’ shootings are criminal, accidental or in self-defense.

Regardless, the membership plan will automatically provide money for bail and for the retainer.

“When we first approached the NRA, their big concern was about protecting someone who uses their gun in a criminal fashion,” Lang said. “We had to think long and hard. This probably added six months to our launch date. We are not going to protect a criminal.”

Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser said that he takes self defense cases very seriously and looks at them carefully.

“In a self-defense case, you have to consider who the aggressor is, which may change,” Gmoser said. “You can be the aggressor initially, but end up being aggressed upon by the person you initiated the confrontation with.”

Gmoser also believes there are many misconceptions about the public’s rights for self defense. For instance, a homeowner who uses deadly force when they don’t appear be in real danger from an intruder could face murder charges.

“The Castle Doctrine does not give you carte blanche to execute someone who trespasses into your house,” Gmoser said.

“If you are able to disable the assailant and they are no longer a threat and you just decide to shoot them because you reason that you can kill someone who enters your house, you will be prosecuted for murder if that person dies.”

For information, call 513-463-0075 or visit secondcalldefense.org.

MEMBERSHIP PLANS

Basic: $8.95 per month. Includes member newsletter, self defense news, 24/7 emergency legal hotline, local attorney referral, up to $2,000 immediate attorney retainer, up to $1,000 immediate cash for bond up to $10,000, accidental shooting protection of $10,000 and criminal defense reimbursement of $10,000.

Advocate: $14.95. Includes $3,000 immediate attorney retainer, up to $2,500 immediate cash for bond up to $25,000, accidental shooting protection of $25,000, criminal defense reimbursement of $25,000, civil suit defense protection of $100,000 and civil damages protection of $25,000.

Defender: $19.95. Includes $5,000 immediate attorney retainer, up to $5,000 immediate cash for bond up to $50,000, accidental shooting protection of $50,000, criminal defense reimbursement of $50,000, civil suit defense protection of $250,000 and civil damages protection of $50,000, as well as online classes, $250 compensation per day while in court and 10 sessions of psychological support.

Protector: $29.95. Includes $7,500 immediate attorney retainer, up to $10,000 immediate cash for bond up to $100,000, accidental shooting protection of $100,000, criminal defense reimbursement of $50,000, civil suit defense protection of $500,000 and civil damages protection of $100,000, as well as online classes, $375 compensation per day while in court and 20 sessions of psychological support.

Ultimate: $35.95. Includes $10,000 immediate attorney retainer, up to $25,000 immediate cash for bond up to $250,000, accidental shooting protection of $250,000, criminal defense reimbursement of $50,000, unlimited civil suit defense protection and civil damages protection of $250,000, as well as online classes, on-site training, $500 compensation per day while in court and 40 sessions of psychological support.

Posted in: Business, Crime, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser, George Lang, gun, gun control, Michael Gmoser, Michael T. Gmoser, NRA Endorsed Insurance Program, Sean Maloney, Sean Maloney attorney, Second Call Defense, Second Call Defense membership, Second Call Defense membership plans, Second Call Defense Ohio, Second Call Defense US, Second Call Defense West Chester, West Chester Township Trustee George Lang, West Chester Trustee George Lang

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Lakota West grad wakes up after double-lung transplant – When Alicia Lang finally woke up Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Cleveland Clinic, she did so with a new pair of lungs. Lang, a 20-year-old Lakota West graduate who has cystic fibrosis, has been waiting for more than two years for a double-lung transplant. On Feb. 11, the long wait was over. Lang’s operation was a success. WestChesterBuzz.com reported the story last week.

Liberty Township trustee Pat Hiltman steps down – After serving seven years as a Liberty Township trustee, Pat Hiltman is stepping down, 10 months shy of finishing his second term. Hiltman said he was resigning effective immediately because a recent job change requires extensive travel.

Justice doled out differently in Butler Co. courts – Sheila McLaughlin reported last week: The weekly cattle call at Butler County Area III Court swells with a mixed bag of people charged with minor crimes and traffic violations. They spend hours waiting for their cases to be called. Many plead guilty, get probation and make a stop at the clerk’s window to pay their fines. Most go on their way with a criminal record that anyone can see.

Gun rally in West Chester – There were times, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in West Chester, when the Day of Resistance gathering felt like a heavily armed history class. Hundreds of people stood, many with pistols on their hips or semi-automatic rifles slung over their shoulders, and listened to speakers talk about the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, about the Federalists versus the anti-Federalists debate, and the history of the legal theory of nullification.

West Chester police looking for thief who stole from mosques – West Chester and Miamisburg police departments are trying to identify a man, who detectives say is responsible for stealing donations from a pair of local mosques on the same morning. Crime Stoppers released photos of the suspect last Wednesday.

Lakota West RB Mikel Horton adds offers – Minnesota and Western Michigan offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton last Wednesday, according Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox. Horton, who has received interest from Louisville, Penn State and Michigan State, also has offers from Indiana, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green and Kentucky.

ASU offers Lakota East OL Jarrett LaRubbio – Arizona State offered Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio last Tuesday, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer. Haynes later told Dyer that Western Michigan is offering, as well. he 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman received offers earlier this month from Duke, Kentucky and Nebraska. He also has offers from Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Alicia Lang, Alicia's Lungs, Crime Stoppers, Cystic Fibrosis, Day of Resistance, Day of Resistance rally, Day of Resistance rally West Chester, Day of Resistance West Chester, fundraiser, gun control, Jim Lang, Judge Rob Lyons, Lakota West, Liberty Township Ohio, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Mary Kay Lang, Miami University, Miami University crime, Nick Lang, Pat Hiltman, Rob Lyons, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The Enquirer:

There were times, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in West Chester, when the Day of Resistance gathering felt like a heavily armed history class.

Hundreds of people stood, many with pistols on their hips or semi-automatic rifles slung over their shoulders, and listened to speakers talk about the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, about the Federalists versus the anti-Federalists debate, and the history of the legal theory of nullification.

“Isn’t this great,” said Lynette DeVine, of Middletown. Both she and her son, Reed, were standing with their AR-15s, listening to the speakers at The Square at Union Center. “I’m here to support the 2nd Amendment and my right to protect myself.”

Adam Purdue, 25, of Lebanon, was also there with his AR-15. “I’m worried about any gun laws that would try to take my weapon,” he said simply.

There were large yellow flags saying: “Don’t tread on me,” and hand-made signs identifying President Barack Obama as a problem.

The Florence event drew hundreds as well – organizers estimated about 1,000 — from throughout the area.

At the Florence rally, the crowd cheered keynote speaker Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Garrison) and other speakers who railed against federal efforts at mandated gun registration and “gun-free” school zones.

After the Sandy Hook shootings, Massie said, “I decided you could do something possibly with legislation to prevent another shooting like that — you could take a law off the books that creates vulnerable populations.”

“We will repeal the Gun Free School Zone,” he continued, to one of the largest ovations of the day.

Massie also got a huge reaction from the crowd in opposing a new move to allow doctors to ask if there’s a gun in patients’ homes.

“I advise you to tell your doctor the same thing I plan to tell mine. ‘No, doc, I brought mine with me!’” he said to more applause.

The Florence rally, about 90 minutes long, included sheriffs from Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant counties, who all said they would not enforce any infringement on the Second Amendment, and Boone County Constable Joe Kalil, who spoke for 40 minutes on the history of arms in America. (more…)

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Day of Resistance, Day of Resistance rally, Day of Resistance rally West Chester, Day of Resistance West Chester, gun control

Carl Weiser reports:

Local gun-rights advocates are planning a second amendment ‘Day of Resistance’ rally in West Chester next Saturday, Feb. 23.

The rally will be from noon to 4 p.m., according to a Facebook page for the event – and a Hamilton County Republican party email announcing it.

The rally will be at The Square at Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Drive.

It’s one of many such rallies being organized for that day across the country.

Here’s some background from the group’s Facebook page:

National campaign to defeat the new proposed gun laws and to raise awareness of the degredation (sic) of our liberties.

On January 16, 2013, President Barack Obama issued 23 executive actions against your 2nd amendment Constitutional right to bear arms. He did this without the consent of Congress which, in itself, violates the foundation of the Constitution and the co-equal branches of government.

In response to these unconstitutional actions by the president, American people will gather together in defiance to protect the rights that protects all our other rights.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Day of Resistance, Day of Resistance rally, Day of Resistance rally West Chester, Day of Resistance West Chester, gun control