Posted on 02/25/2012 6:42:34 PM PST by marktwain
ST. PAUL – A bill that would expand Minnesotans’ self-defense rights was approved 40-23 Thursday night by the state Senate.
The Personal Protection Act – known by many opponents as the “shoot first” bill – extends the right to use deadly force for personal protection outside the home to any place where an individual lawfully can be, sponsor Sen. Gretchen Hoffman, R-Vergas, said.
“This bill isn’t just about guns,” it is about allowing any use of deadly force if necessary to guard against imminent danger, Hoffman said.
The bill, approved by the House last year, also would require Minnesota to recognize firearms permits from other states and would prevent law enforcement from confiscating weapons during governor-declared states of emergency like Hoffman said occurred after Hurricane Katrina.
House members will review bill again. If approved, it will go to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. He has not said whether he will sign the bill, but said he usually sides with police officers, who generally oppose the measure.
Four Democrats joined Republicans who control the Legislature in supporting the bill.
Minnesota already has the so-called “Castle Doctrine,” allowing people to use force to defend their homes. But it is not enough, bill proponents argued.
“Current law favors the criminal. With the duty to retreat, you put the onus on the victim,” Hoffman said. “We need to empower people to protect themselves.”
“Federal reports show much of major crime is happening outside the house,” added Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, a former Douglas County sheriff.
Supporters also said the bill better protects constitutional rights.
“If we’re going to have a Second Amendment, let’s make it meaningful,” Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said, referring to the federal right to bear arms.
Opponents argued current law is sufficient to protect people acting in self-defense and warned the bill could provide too much leeway.
“What this bill does is promote vigilante justice,” Sen. Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights, said. “This is a completely new expansion of Castle Doctrine.”
Others were worried about the mentality it would create.
“This says killing people shouldn’t be a last resort,” Sen. John Harrington, DFL-St. Paul, a former St. Paul police officer and chief, said.
Hoffman noted it still would be up to the courts to determine if a person acted reasonably.
A number of state law enforcement and county attorney organizations opposed the bill.
Dave Kolb, Champlin police chief representing the Minnesota State Chiefs of Police Association, said Thursday the legislation would make law enforcement work more dangerous and could make it easier to defend murder.
“I don’t think that’s the intention of the bill, but that’s the loophole it creates,” he said.
Hoffman said law enforcement officials are still protected by current law and under the bill. The proposal includes language that a person cannot use force against someone they “know or reasonably should know” is a peace officer.
Danielle Nordine reports for Forum Communications Co.
Many Minnesotans will see this as a positive development.
But will Crazy Eyes Mark Dayton veto it? I can see most of the opposition being from Minneapolis and St Paul, plus the sheriff of Dakota County being a lib.
“he usually sides with police officers, who generally oppose the measure.”
Any cops who oppose citizens protecting themselves need to be driven out of the community. They aren’t peace officers; they’re fascists.
Some time back, my stupid local village council hired a police chief who thought it was fun harassing vets driving out of the VFW parking lot.
One time, he played tough guy and harassed the wife of a WW II vet.
The next week, about 100 vets from the VFW and Legion showed up at the village council meeting and reamed the council members a new a**hole. The next day, the police chief got fired and run out of town.
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Winds of change? We’ll see.
I’ve lived in the “Land of 10,000 Taxes” most of my life, but now I live in Florida.
Might there be a reason for me to move back?
I wonder how it’s being talked about in “Gumption County”?
Gov. Mumbles will veto it as soon as he can remember where he left his pencil.
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