I've signed up for it. Instead of going for the platinum membership I got the basic silver, but I'm also a member of the
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network which includes a fund to help network members out in SD shootings. I'd rather diversify this way in case I have issues with one organization. From what I understand one thing that's different between the NRA policy and these are that the NRA policy is an individually underwritten policy and that's it. It's discoverable (which means the scumbag civil defense lawyer will know that you have that policy and for sure will sue you for that amount of liability coverage). Also I believe by law they can't cover your criminal defense costs until you've been acquitted (first dollar coverage or something). Their policy refers to criminal defense reimbursement. So you might have to sell everything to pay of the cost of defending yourself and If you win, you get a check from the insurance company.
The self defense shield has a grant and insurance backed mechanism. If you're caught in a SD shooting you can apply for a grant to pay for you upfront criminal defense. It's not guaranteed - you have to apply. There are 2 reasons for this. If it was automatic a Pimp could sign up and claim self defense when he murdered his rival and would get the grant money. The Shield organization will need to judge that it's a reasonable SD situation. The second is they would lose their non profit status if it was automatic. If you're acquitted the Insurance policy kicks in. The CCW Shield foundation is reimbursed for the grant money and any additional money beyond the grant would pay for additional legal costs incurred. If you lose then you don't have to pay the grant back (but you have bigger problems there). So the idea is the grant helps you with upfront Self defense costs and the insurance will reimburse. Finally the insurance will also provide civil liability but this insurance is not discoverable because you're the beneficiary not the policy holder. That probably won't matter too much if you have umbrella coverage for your homeowners insurance because that will be discoverable (I assume)
The armed citizens legal defense network is not an insurance or insurance backed thing. It's a network of firearms experts, pro 2nd amendment lawyers whose goal is to provide a supporting network to help a SD shooter in the case of a legitimate SD incident. If you're caught in a SD shooting, they provide $10,000 grant immediately to cover your initial legal costs - I believe this is automatic you don't have to go through a more formal grant application process. The idea here is that you get your defense team firing on all cylinders from the get go. That means not having to deal with an overburdened Public Defender in the first few days while applying for a grant because you can't afford a pro 2nd amendment attorney that has experience in this, and your attorney will be able to hire a private investigator to uncover witnesses etc. This benefit is based on that fact that what happens in the initial aftermath is going to have the greatest impact on whether you get let go, or charged, or eventually convicted. They will provide experts to review the case and recommend to your attorney strategies to employ (included in membership). They also have a legal defense fund that you can apply to. Again this isn't guaranteed or insurance. The fund has a pretty impressive advisory board though (Massad Ayoob, Dennis Tueller - of Tueller drill fame - amongst others).
I've signed up to the shield and the Armed citizens legal defense network. I've got umbrella liability insurance which will cover me for negligence (which is always what a plaintiff's attorney goes after no matter what because insurance won't cover non accidental, non negligent i.e deliberate acts and all the lawyer wants is the money). I'd recommend signing up to 2 out of 3 (or all 3 if you can swing it). If you normally have a Starbucks latte every day - skip it and make coffee at home. That will save $750 a year - more then enough to pay for all three at max coverage levels
The armed citizens legal defense fund is $85 a year. You also get a lot of educational material as well (DVD with Massad Ayoob on "Handling the Immediate Aftermath of a Self Defense shooting" is a must for all CCW holders). The USCCA shield is between $125 and $300 depending on Silver, Gold, or Platinum (higher limits). You get a great magazine and a great access to resources - similar to USA Carry).
I see it as supporting a good cause and adding additional legal protection for myself
