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Workshop offered to explain laws on carrying, using firearms for self-defense

By Dave Zuchowski, For The Greene County Messenger 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – In light of the recent focus on gun rights and the Second Amendment to the Constitution, it might be helpful for those licensed to own or carry guns to learn of the laws governing their use in self-defense.

At a special workshop offered to the public by U.S. Law Shield from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 12, both an experienced attorney and an experienced law enforcement officer will outline these laws as they apply to residents of the state of Pennsylvania.

The workshop, to be held at the American Legion Post 330, located at 676 E. High Street in Waynesburg, is free to post members and all U.S. Law Shield members. For all others, the fee is $10, regardless of age.

During the first hour, attorney Michael McFarland of the Pittsburgh law firm of Michael Steven Sherman, will talk about the justified use of deadly force. The second hour of the workshop will feature a talk by Jim Price, a law enforcement officer with 20 years of on-the-job experience, who will talk on interaction with the police following a self-defense incident.

“He (Price) will discuss things like what to do if you’re carrying a concealed weapon and are pulled over by the police and how to interact with the police after an incident,” said Robert Hammer, Northeast manager for U.S. Law Shield, a firearms legal defense organization that started up in 2009.

The main portion of the workshop will address the question of when gun owners are legally allowed to protect themselves at home and in public. It will also explain the benefits of becoming a U.S. Law Shield member.

The workshop is open to people of all ages, although normally, the workshops do not see many participants under the age of 18 because they do not yet own a firearm. It does draw a lot of people over the age of 18 who do not yet own a gun but who are interested in learning the law before they purchase one.

The workshop is limited to 75 people, who may register online at www.gunlawseminar.com or by phone at 877-474-7184.

One of the major benefits of becoming a U.S. Law Shield member is getting unlimited legal representation for both criminal and civil aspects of a case involving a self-defense issue.

The cost of membership is $10.95 a month, and participants will be given the opportunity to sign up at the workshop. Memberships are also available at 183 gun stores scattered across the state.

Nationwide, U.S. Law Shield has about 275,000 members in 30 states, although the organization plans to expand to all 50 states. Although the organization is not affiliated with the National Rifle Association, it does work in partnership with some of the NRA’s instructors.

Members are given free access to all the organization’s seminars and workshops that address topics such as concealed carry laws, implications for interstate travel, search and seizure laws, active shooter courses and surviving a shooting.

U.S. Law Shield also offers simulator training — real-life situations with an attorney present that help determine whether actions taken are justifiable under the law.

All the seminars and workshops can be viewed online at the organization’s website, www.uslawshield.com.

In February, U.S. Law Shield approached the Waynesburg American Legion about holding a workshop at its facility. Post adjutant Michelle Deems said the workshop explains the rights of American citizens to own and carry firearms.

“The workshop ties in with the four pillars of the American Legion — National Security, Americanism, Children and Youth and Veterans and Rehabilitation,” Deems said. “The national security pillar ties in with the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. The Americanism pillar ties in with the ideals and policies that promote the nation’s best interests.

“The children and youth pillar is supported by protecting families so they can live in a safe environment to grow and be nurtured,” she continued. “And the veterans and rehab pillar allows us to look to our experienced veterans for help and guidance in troubled times. It also sometimes gives our veterans a platform to rehabilitate themselves on many levels — mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

“This is an educational workshop meant to clarify some of the issues around owning and bearing arms,” she said.

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