{"id":144487,"date":"2021-04-21T10:19:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T14:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=144487"},"modified":"2021-04-21T10:19:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T11:02:20","slug":"the-oh-so-important-after-the-bang-phone-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-oh-so-important-after-the-bang-phone-call\/","title":{"rendered":"The Oh-So-Important ‘After the Bang’ Phone Call"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"The
(Photo: U.S. LawShield<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Imagine you\u2019ve just been involved in a self-defense incident. Someone threatened the life of you or your loved one, so you drew your weapon and fired a shot. You know you should probably call 911 to get help fast, but what about calling your attorney? You were only protecting your life, but will the police see it that way?<\/em> What should you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEP ONE: CALL 911<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve used your gun, you need to call 911 as soon as possible.<\/em> But beware: all 911 calls are recorded,<\/strong> and anything you say can (and probably will) be used against you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, you want to be careful not to give the operator any unnecessary details of what happened. It\u2019s important to NEVER use words like \u201ckilled\u201d or \u201cshot\u201d when speaking to the 911 operator.<\/strong> Simply relay the minimum information they need to help you appropriately, (i.e. your name, location, emergency services needed) and state that you were the victim of a crime. Then, HANG UP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEP TWO: CALL YOUR ATTORNEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After hanging up, your next call should always be to your attorney. If you don\u2019t have an attorney who can help you through moments like this, you might want to get one. Talking to them before making a statement to law enforcement will help you avoid accidentally saying the wrong thing and getting yourself in even deeper trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. LawShield members have 24\/7\/365 emergency access<\/a> to the AttorneyResponse<\/strong> 365<\/strong>TM<\/sup> hotline, which gives them direct access<\/em> to an Independent Program Attorney after a self-defense emergency. Day or night, these experienced attorneys are ready to assist you through the immediate aftermath<\/strong> so you don\u2019t have to face it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve dialed your attorney, keep in mind these \u201cpro tips\u201d to ensure your call is the most successful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Stay out of earshot of others.<\/strong> This ranges from law enforcement (for obvious reasons) to first responders, to even your own family members. The protection of the attorney-client privilege is one of the few gifts our legal system gives you, so don\u2019t throw it away carelessly! However, if someone standing close by overhears your conversation, that person can be called to testify about what you said. <\/strong>So, try your best to get to a place where you can speak freely without being overheard.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n