The Firearms Academy of Seattle provides training for “civilian” and professional shooters that covers most aspects of tactical shooting. The classes also provide basic safety and educate citizens in most of the legal aspects pertaining to armed self defense and concealed carry. Marty Hayes, the founder of FAS, has an extensive law enforcement background.

I attended an FAS handgun class last year. Massad Ayoob will be lecturing again and also provides hands on training at the FAS campus in Onalaska. None of this information is new for many Washington shootists but the news is that Marty Hayes has started a legal network in order to assist members that need advice and encounter legal problems involving self defense and related issues:

On March 19, 2008, just a little less than two months after the foundation of the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network, LLC, the funding arm of the Network was incorporated as a non-profit foundation, with the Washington Secretary of State, under the name of Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Foundation.

The idea is that when you join the organization some of the revenue from the membership fees is set aside in the above referenced nonprofit as a defense fund for members that get into legal difficulty as a result of exercising his or her responsibility to defend themselves or others.

Incidentally, issues relating to armed self-defense are often discussed in terms of rights; i.e., Constitutional rights, Second Amendment, etc. It is important to remind ourselves occasionally that defense of one’s self and others is a moral imperative just like providing for our families and being good neighbors. Many followers of Christ are convinced that Christ taught his followers to lay down the sword and practice pacifism. This is a misunderstanding.

The Lord was a Jew and understood the Jewish heritage of warfare. When he said to put down the sword, he went on to explain that he was laying down his life willingly. The failure to understand that the Lord was laying down his lawful ability to defend himself is also a failure to understand the meaning of why he had to die in a public execution. At the time of Jesus’ arrest, he stated that he could call down legions of angels to protect him from his persecutors.

Christ’s followers are instructed to lay down rights and even responsibilities under certain circumstances, such as when he said to let the dead bury the dead. When we are called to make way for higher priorities than personal duty we may leave a good paying job in order to serve as missionaries or sacrifice our well-being to serve a loved one. Love has no higher meaning than a man or woman laying down his or her life for a brother or sister.

Would any person advocate that there is a moral imperative to submit to rape or torture or watch your children be taken from you by evil-doers? Shockingly enough, some church people teach that a woman who takes the life of a rapist in order to prevent a rape in progress is violating the Scriptural mandate to respect and preserve life.

Additionally, even if you have an abstract belief in the Second Amendment or that self-defense is a God-given natural right/responsibility, you need to prepare ahead of time by taking the necessary steps to obtain a Concealed Pistol License and a weapon and to get trained (if you plan to protect youself with a weapon). Most folks tell me they would defend their families if it becomes necessary.

Nevertheless, many of those same people with whom I speak seem to think that they will know in advance when the time comes that a weapon is necessary. There is not normally enough advance warning to go home and get a weapon, let alone to go through the waiting periods and other red tape involved to purchase a gun when and if the time comes that you need to deploy armed self-defense. Incidentally, unarmed self-sefense also requires training but is not an extremely viable option for many people.

If leaders and theologians within the church world teach that women should submit to rape rather than use a weapon against an assailant, is it any wonder that the politicians and lawyers are so confused? My theology teaches me that those that are Followers of Christ hold the keys and have the authority to powerfully influence public policy. Many churches teach that the goal is to get as many people saved as possible, build churches and then hold on until we get to heaven. Such an understanding is just a little short of the mark!

One of the purposes of this website is to exhort Christian folks to take an activist stance and exert the wisdom that is in the Scriptures in a way that shows that we have answers. Being as wise as a snake and as innocent as a dove is good counsel. Preparing for the legal aftermath of a justified shooting also shows wisdom. You don’t want to go to court with your brother-in-law that normally practices corporate law any more than you would want a lawyer reciting a bunch of Scriptures to the judge.

Start making preparations now to retain a lawyer or make arrangments to have legal counsel available in the event that you are ever called upon to use deadly force.

See Combat Weaponry in the Book of Luke.

Send us an e-mail if you want more information about the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network: knapp.m@comcast.net or call (253) 661-1252.