Armed & Fabulous With Lauren Liberty Ep. 1 - Attorney Rachel Moss
March 25, 2024
Civil paralegal Lauren Liberty sits down with criminal defense attorney Rachel Moss to discuss Second Amendment rights, the importance of responsible firearm ownership, and how the legal system intersects with the realities of self-defense. Using personal stories and the legal analysis of real-world incidents, Attorney Moss discuss the challenges women face in exercising their right to self-defense.
“Most people have a woman in their life… and I can almost guarantee at one point she’s probably been in a situation where she was like, ‘Wow, I may be unprepared to defend myself.’”
-Lauren Liberty
Attorney Moss’s Background
Attorney Moss notes that she took a legal class in college “by accident” and discovered a passion that would lead her to law school at Arizona State University. There, she encountered a culture where constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment, were often challenged.
“Believe it or not, freedom principles are not really embraced in law school… but when I saw the very first ad for Attorneys For Freedom, I said I will be an attorney there one day.’”
-Attorney Moss
Attorney Moss emphasizes that her dedication to advocacy was sparked by early exposure to guns. When she was five years old, her grandfather showed her his firearms, and she wanted to understand what they were. She shares four universal rules of gun safety which has left a lasting impression on her since childhood.
- Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
- Never point a firearm at anything you’re unwilling to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
Real-World Incidents and the Legal Standard of Self-Defense
Ms. Liberty and Attorney Moss discuss the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting. This incident involved several people pulling out firearms in a public setting. While the legal concept of self-defense permits someone to use force when facing an immediate threat, it has limits.
“Even if you’re acting in valid self-defense, you can still be held liable if you irresponsibly shoot someone else in the process.”
-Attorney Moss
Attorney Moss explains that the requirement of imminence is crucial for establishing a legal self-defense claim. When discussing the suspect’s statement that he felt threatened because someone he said he was going to “get it” attorney Moss clarifies that the statement was not imminent. She also notes that the suspect, admitting to choosing someone “at random” from a group to shoot, showed he did not know who posed the threat.
While stand your ground laws in many states eliminate the duty to retreat, attorney Moss explains that juries still assess whether the response was reasonable. Principles such as “imminent threat,” “duty to retreat,” and “reasonable person standard” determine guilt or innocence in self-defense cases. Attorney Moss stresses that understanding these principles is essential for any gun owner.
Training, Preparedness, and Women’s Empowerment
Ms. Liberty and Attorney Moss emphasize the importance of training in shooting technique, situational awareness, and mental readiness. Attorney Moss shares that despite growing up around firearms, she takes shooting lessons often. Ms. Liberty notes that no amount of target practice prepares someone for the high-adrenaline chaos of a real confrontation:
“There’s no shame in admitting you need a class or an instructor. It’s much safer to take that route.”
-Attorney Moss
Gun-Free Zones
Attorney Moss recounts an incident where she intervened during an assault on campus to protect a woman being attacked. She believes that having access to a firearm could have made a difference. While reflecting on gun-free zones, especially on college campuses, she emphasizes the conflict between safety and educational pursuits. Although she acknowledges that the situation hadn’t yet warranted drawing a firearm, she notes it could have escalated to that point.
“I’m able to tell my story because I’m alive. There are many women in gun-free zones who are not here to tell their stories today.”
-Attorney Moss
Restoring Rights and Rebuilding Trust
Attorney Moss notes that she has handled many cases involving individuals seeking to regain their gun rights after non-violent offenses. She questions whether it is appropriate to permanently strip someone of their Second Amendment rights for a past mistake. Ms. Liberty highlights recent legislative progress in Arizona, where firearm rights are now automatically restored for first-time offenders after they complete their sentences.
At Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, we don’t just talk about defending freedom; we do it in the courtroom, every day. If you’re a responsible gun owner or someone who values freedom, we encourage you to explore our AOR Program. If you would like to know more about our law firm and how our AOR Program can help you, please call 866-404-5112 or email us.
Related Content
