Texas Governor Signs 'Castle Doctrine.'
C&P:
AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry signed into law today a bill that gives Texans a stronger legal right to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and workplaces.
Both chambers of the Legislature overwhelmingly approved the measure earlier this month. The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association, states that a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder before using deadly force.
"The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but it is intuitive to human nature. You ought to be able to protect yourself," Perry said, surrounded by lawmakers who pushed for the law.
This is the first bill-signing this legislative session by the Republican governor. The law takes effect Sept. 1.
"This is reasonable legislation," Perry said.
The building or vehicle must be occupied at the time for the deadly force provision to apply, and the person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity at the time.
Some refer to the measure as the "castle doctrine," drawing from the idea that a man's home is his castle and that he should have the right to defend it.
Fifteen other states have passed similar laws. Texas is the first state to pass such a law this year, said Rep. Joe Driver, a Garland Republican who sponsored the measure.
Sen. Jeff Wentworth, a San Antonio Republican who pressed the issue in his chamber, said the law changes previous Texas law that in some cases requires a person to retreat from an intruder.
The new law will also provide civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in any of the circumstances spelled out in the bill. Police and prosecutors can still press charges if they feel deadly force was illegally used, legislative sponsors said.
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The "castle doctrine" bill is SB 378.
AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry signed into law today a bill that gives Texans a stronger legal right to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and workplaces.
Both chambers of the Legislature overwhelmingly approved the measure earlier this month. The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association, states that a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder before using deadly force.
"The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but it is intuitive to human nature. You ought to be able to protect yourself," Perry said, surrounded by lawmakers who pushed for the law.
This is the first bill-signing this legislative session by the Republican governor. The law takes effect Sept. 1.
"This is reasonable legislation," Perry said.
The building or vehicle must be occupied at the time for the deadly force provision to apply, and the person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity at the time.
Some refer to the measure as the "castle doctrine," drawing from the idea that a man's home is his castle and that he should have the right to defend it.
Fifteen other states have passed similar laws. Texas is the first state to pass such a law this year, said Rep. Joe Driver, a Garland Republican who sponsored the measure.
Sen. Jeff Wentworth, a San Antonio Republican who pressed the issue in his chamber, said the law changes previous Texas law that in some cases requires a person to retreat from an intruder.
The new law will also provide civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in any of the circumstances spelled out in the bill. Police and prosecutors can still press charges if they feel deadly force was illegally used, legislative sponsors said.
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The "castle doctrine" bill is SB 378.
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Score one for common sense.....
The "duty to retreat" has never made sense to me0 -
with the previous law requiring someone to retreat, i always wondered, doesnt that apply to the criminal as well ? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by newtgingrich
with the previous law requiring someone to retreat, i always wondered, doesnt that apply to the criminal as well ?
Laws don't apply to criminals. That's why gun control doesn't work.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
quote:Originally posted by newtgingrich
with the previous law requiring someone to retreat, i always wondered, doesnt that apply to the criminal as well ?
Laws don't apply to criminals. That's why gun control doesn't work.
+10 -
amen for texas! wish the buckeye gov would do the same.[V] 0 -
WTG Texas. [:)] 0 -
I would like to see Oregon do that also. It sure makes you think about using a gun to help others if you run the risk of a civil lawsuit that will wipe out your lifesavings.
Most I suspect would turn and walk away especially since it most likely would be two tree huggers fighting over who was using the most carbon.0 -
so how about the protestors in oregon burning the american soldier in ephigy and also the american flag ? 0
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