Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network (ACLDN) doesn't necessarily fund your entire defense. They have the option to do so if they decide your case is worthy, but they provide $10,000 up front to "jumpstart" your defense (retain a lawyer) and pay $25,000 to a bail bondsman.
Their coverage applies to any justifiable use of force --
it's not restricted to firearms.
The other, perhaps bigger benefits are:
1. They maintain a list of "extreme vetted" attorneys in most of the 50 states. You can hire whomever you want, and you don't have to use an attorney or their list. But their list contains experienced attorneys who are also knowledgeable about firearms.
Using myself as an example, I already have a Louisiana lawyer lined up if I ever need him. But my permit is valid in about three dozen states -- I would have no idea who a good attorney is if I were to suddenly need one in Texas , Georgia or Arkansas. As a member, I get their recommended list.
2. AN ACLDN attorney will review the case and help advise your attorney.
3. ACLDN will help you and your attorney line up expert witnesses to explain to a DA, judge or jury why the actions you took were justifiable. Some of the nation's foremost experts are on the ACLDN Advisory Board -- people like Tom Givens, Massad Ayoob, Dennis Tueller, John Farnam, et al. These are the folks I want on my side if I'm ever charged with shooting someone.
4. ACLDN holds a strong (probably the strongest) position in the country as far as educating their members and helping them avoid ever having to use a gun.
a. When you join, you get eight (8) DVD's on a wide range of self defense topics. One or two are by Ayoob, on is by Marc MacYoung, one or two by Tom Givens (don't recall the rest). Topics include elements of justifiable deadly force, choosing self defense firearms, pre-attack indicators, etc.
b. Plus you get a new DVD (or a book) every year at renewal. I do not know of another source for these DVD's (the book by Ayoob is available at bookstores).
c. You get access to a monthly online Journal filled with articles to further educate you on the use of deadly force -- how to avoid using it, what to say to the cops if you do use it, etc.
5. Their "
boots on the ground" policy means that if you can't find an attorney, Marty Hayes (the founder, former cop, highly regarded firearms instructor and practicing attorney) will show up and find you one. Every member get's Marty's 24 hour hotline phone number.
I'm sure there are other good programs out there. I picked ACLDN because of their dedication to education -- and because of the reputations of Marty and the Advisory Board he has assembled. I've been a member for eight years -- it is not a "fly by night" organization.
Disclaimer: I am associated with ACLDN as one of their Affiliated Instructors. As such I do not pay for my membership -- but I do pay for my wife's membership and do so because it is well worth what it costs.
Link to the ACLDN website:
http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/learn