Wednesday, March 9, 2011

New 'Castle Doctrine' Bill Passes PA Senate

The Pennsylvania Senate passed an expanded Castle Doctrine bill this week by a vote of 43-4 according to the Associated Press. The Senate passed a similar bill passed last fall but thwe bill was vetoed by Governor Ed Rendell. He feared it would lead to more violence. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association was also opposed to the bill.

According to the Associated Press, the bill provides that a person would no longer be required to retreat or find a safe place from danger before he or she resorts to deadly force outside their own home. The law currently applies inside the home. The proposed bill would expand existing law known as the "castle doctrine."

Under the bill, shooters would get the presumption of having acted legally if they could prove they reasonably believed they were in imminent danger. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

To read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11068/1130675-100.stm#ixzz1G9zZDbgT

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