Insane. My emphasis:
Rep. Randy Dunn said he proposed House Bill 1940 after several high-profile cases around the country raised questions.
With the current Missouri law, someone can lawfully shoot someone to protect themselves from an intruder if they reasonably believe that deadly force is necessary to protect themselves. Secondly, if the person firing the gun is the legal occupant of the home. Third, the person being shot at must be making an unlawful entry.
[…]Dunn says his proposed bill has three main provisions.
“It would require a person to attempt to retreat if at all possible when facing danger,” he said.
A defendant must also prove they had no other option than to use deadly force as opposed to the prosecution as it is under the current statue. The third provision would disallow automatic immunity from a civil lawsuit for anyone who uses deadly force or shoots someone.
Attorney Kevin Jamison strongly opposes the bill.
“I’m appalled. This is showing more regard for home invaders than home owners,” he said. “This is an absurd piece of legislation. It should be given the contempt it deserves.”
Dunn says the provision would hopefully steer people away from automatic violence.
“Being a supporter of the Second Amendment this does absolutely nothing to take away one’s right to own a gun and or to protect themselves and or their family. It just says if you can, we should find a peaceful solution instead of jumping to violence immediately,” he said.
No, this bill criminalizes a victim. The person committing “automatic violence” is the criminal committing the crime. Dunn’s bill indulgences criminal behavior and persecutes the innocent. It’s an added insult. Yes, it always works when women try to talk their would-be rapists out of sexually assault them. Heaven forbid the women use force—sorry, Dunn’s word, “violence”—to counter the non-violence of the rapist or home intruder. Defending oneself is “violent.” Criminal activity is just criminals being criminals I guess!
The message to criminals should be “If you break into a home and threaten a family, you’re going to get shot. The end.”
h/t Chad
