PETALUMA, Calif. — Many people who carry a handgun for personal protection have never thought about what happens after you have to draw the firearm in a defensive situation. This life-altering event comes with emotional, psychological, and financial costs that are, for sure, preferable to the alternative, but nonetheless difficult to quantify.
And while Americans are increasingly exercising their concealed carry rights (29.8% in May 2026, up from 24.3% in December 2024), the number of Americans who carry some form of legal protection remains relatively small, with estimates at only 2-3% of gun owners.
When it comes to legal protection options, the biggest question in the firearms community – especially among new permit holders – is, “What’s the difference between the various products?”
This is a question that Bryan Kinney, founder and owner of California-based AAO (American Armed Ordnance), has heard so many times that he decided to do something that’s never been done before: invite every major legal protection services provider to participate in a free educational event that he is hosting.
“The Great 2A Insurance Town Hall,” taking place on October 17, 2026, is the first of its kind event, where representatives from the nation’s top firearm legal protection organizations will participate in a live, on-stage discussion driven entirely by audience participation.
Kinney told News2A that not only has he already had unexpectedly positive feedback based on registrations, but he also expects there to be significant participation via the nationwide livestream, which is free but requires registration.
While there’s significant organic interest in the questions behind why one should have a legal defense service and what differentiates one from another, Kinney wanted to encourage participation, and to that end, his business is funding raffle prizes that include:
- a paid initial California CCW training class, along with application and permit fees
- a California CCW renewal, with application and permit fees
- one year of protection from any of the participating providers
- a five-year California Rifle & Pistol Association membership
- a lifetime membership to Gun Owners of California
- a one-time, 20% discount on a training class of your choice by AAO
“Not only did I refuse a dime from all of the participants, I funded all of the prizes out of my own pocket to encourage participation. We’ve never had anything like this before, and my hope is that it encourages people to take agency of their own well-being and safety by carrying a firearm and training, and to take the legal side seriously,” said Kinney.
While most of the nationally recognized legal services providers will be present, there is at least one name that is conspicuously absent. This publication reached out to U.S. LawShield to ask about their participation, and a spokesperson replied that “U.S. LawShield is not involved with this event.”
Right to Bear, another well-known provider, provided this statement to News2A when asked about their participation:
At Right To Bear, our culture is built around serving our members and exceeding their expectations when they need us most. We recognize that people trust us to stand beside them during potentially the most difficult moments of their lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. Participating in this town hall is an extension of that culture.
He went on to add, “We believe in transparency, accountability, and openly answering the tough questions consumers deserve to ask. Our goal isn’t simply to sell memberships; it’s to build lasting relationships through exceptional service and deliver the promises we make every single day. We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that commitment publicly.”
Attorneys On Retainer, another national provider, will also be present.
“Attorneys On Retainer has always valued transparency – that’s exactly why we wanted to participate in The Great 2A Insurance Town Hall event,” said Lauren Snyder, association director of Attorneys On Retainer, in a statement to News2A. “We encourage questions about our program, and our goal is always to educate firearms owners so that they can make informed decisions on their legal coverage.”
The town hall is definitively not a sales event, according to Kinney, who has planned the program to ensure that providers do not engage in brinksmanship, but rather find productive ways to contribute to the conversation. Discussion points will include some difficult topics that are sometimes relegated to the minutiae or legalese, including mental health and post-incident support, firearm replacement options, and examples of real-world self-defense incidents.
To sign up for this free event in person or online, click here.
