Remember the saying “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” It isn’t true. Just look to the “North to the Future” state for an example.Alaskan Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has resigned “due to inappropriate comments,” wrote the Anchorage Daily News. “Details about what Mallott said, and to whom, were not immediately clear, though Gov. [Bill] Walker described the remarks as inappropriate overtures to a woman earlier this week.”In today’s politically correct climate, “inappropriate overtures” may have been something as simple as holding a door open for a woman or saying, “Yes, ma’am.”For us gun owners and concealed carry promoters, the point is that our words — written and spoken — carry the potential for bruising court testimony if we’re ever arrested as a result of a self-defense incident.I’m often guilty on this score; I sometimes pop off about head shots on Facebook or “like” the videos of cops saving themselves, even if it involves deadly force.Sure, every now and then I go too far with injudicious commentary on social media. But should I wipe my Facebook and Twitter accounts? Should I censor my speech and opinions, goofy as they sometimes are?If I’m ever taken to court as a result of defensive shooting, I’m concerned that a clever attorney for the dead perp’s family might hold these things up and say, “This guy had a propensity to violence. He was ‘locked and loaded’ and ready to shoot someone. Therefore he, not the man he shot in supposed self-defense, is to blame.”Words matter, and, in the aftermath of a self-defense situation, we might be happy that we exercised a judicious approach to online commentary. The world is watching … and listening. Sticks and stones…

Where there is smoke, there is fire.We have all heard the line and intuitively understand its meaning. In life, the fire creates the smoke and not the other way around. In my line of work as a former-state-prosecutor-turned-defense-attorney, however, the gunsmoke creates the legal fire.When a good person thinks about defending his or her family and loved ones, he or she too often focuses his or her time and attention only on the gear. Common concerns include which firearm to use and which ammunition to select. That’s all fine (and is, of course, very important) — we all like gear, and no one needs an excuse to purchase more firearms. However, professionals (such as police officers, prosecutors and judges) focus less on what you use and much more on how you use it. And guess what? Your jury will too.I want to turn your attention to what may be the most important conversation you ever have if you’re forced to use your firearm in self-defense: shopping for the attorney who will keep you out of prison. What is that process like? What should you prepare for? How can you prepare? Space limitations preclude a full rundown within the confines of this article, but there are a few points with which I want you to walk away.Nothing will prepare you for the raw shock of waking up and needing a criminal attorney. All the attorney websites and advertisements look and sound the same, for the most part. It is typically difficult, if not impossible, to grasp anything measurable that distinguishes Firm A from Firm B. (Advertising regulations in the industry are to blame for that.) One thing is for sure, though, as you quickly scroll through websites and reviews with a limited budget of both time and money, your freedom and/or livelihood hanging in the balance: You will regret not looking into this earlier.Let me assure you of one constant when it comes to attorneys and life: The best professionals — the ones that you and your family deserve — will never come cheap. These attorneys will also almost certainly not accept an IOU as a form of payment. Money talks, and unless you have a bank account that’s large enough to shout, you’ll need someone to do your talking for you. Enter the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). Backed by the USCCA, you will have your pick of the litter when it comes to attorneys. But hang on … you need to stick around to hear the best part.Your defense will be spearheaded by top-tier legal talent, and if you practice what the USCCA teaches, you’ll be giving that attorney a winning hand of something that money can never buy: facts. The best attorneys cannot change what happened; they cannot change the cards in the deck. They can only spot both the good and bad cards that weaker attorneys miss, properly handle those cards in play and generally stack the deck to your maximum advantage. Never forget, however, that you are the determining factor of whether you followed the laws and employed a lawful use of force.Thanks to the abundance of training materials, discussion forums and access to industry experts (which are provided as part of membership), USCCA members learn how to avoid or de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. But if a lethal-force encounter becomes imminent, that same training can help members survive the incident and take smart steps in its aftermath.If you have never tuned in for a Live Training Broadcast; wandered the lecture halls, vendors and live-fire ranges at the national Concealed Carry Expo; or participated in the live AMA (Ask Me Anything) expert series, there is no telling how costly it may be for you and your family someday. I would strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to at least familiarize yourself with all the resources with which the USCCA arms its members.Protecting yourself with the best legal team is invaluable. Protecting your family and your future with the best training is priceless. The USCCA is here to show you the path; all you need to do is walk it.