Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Self-defense doesn’t end when the threat goes down. That’s when the real battle begins. Lawyers. Prosecutors. Headlines. USCCA Members never fight that battle alone. Find out how.
In a story that feels ripped from a dystopian novel, a Portland pot shop employee who survived being held at gunpoint by three armed, masked robbers somehow ended up fighting for his own freedom in court.
As Colion Noir put it, the quickest way to go from victim to defendant in Portland is simple: survive the attack.
The case centered on 35-year-old Jason Steiner, who was working alone at the Lamoda Cannabis Shop on October 3, 2024, when three masked men burst in and held him at gunpoint.
Surveillance video shows the robbers forcing Steiner out of the building. Once outside, Steiner went around the corner, retrieved a semi-auto pistol from his bag, returned, and fired 13 shots: killing the armed assailants. He immediately retreated across the street and called 911.
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That should have been the end. Instead, prosecutors charged him with multiple counts of murder and unlawful use of a weapon, arguing he “could have just left.” His legal team countered that he acted in pure self-defense after being kidnapped at gunpoint.
Steiner then spent a week and a half in trial reliving the moment a gun was pressed to his head. Only now with the state treating him as the threat.
The jury didn’t buy it.
They returned not-guilty verdicts on every major charge, including two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and one count of attempted murder. Steiner broke down in court as the decisions were read, finally cleared of wrongdoing in the very incident he barely survived.
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As Noir emphasized, this case should rattle every concealed carrier in America. Steiner didn’t start the fight. He didn’t escalate it. He didn’t create the danger. The armed robbers did all of that when they put a gun to his head and forced him outside. Yet the DA’s interpretation, not the facts, nearly destroyed his life.
In cities where prosecutors hold an anti-self-defense bias, good people can be punished simply for refusing to “die politely.” The physical fight ends when the shooting stops, but the legal fight may only be beginning.
Steiner survived the robbery. The jury made sure he survived the justice system too. But his ordeal is a blunt reminder: your zip code can matter as much as your skill with a firearm.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.