Governor vetoes deadly force bill (NH)

Concord Monitor Online, ^ | May 12, 2006 | ANNE SAUNDERS

[neverdem]

Associated Press

Flanked by more than 40 police officers and prosecutors, Gov. John Lynch vetoed legislation today that would have made it easier for people to use deadly force in public places.

“It’s a nightmare scenario,” said Strafford County Attorney Janice Rundles, one of many in the law enforcement community opposed to the bill.

The bill would have allowed people to use deadly force in any place they had a right to be if they thought someone was about to commit a crime against them. Now, people must retreat when it’s safe to do so unless deadly force is required to prevent kidnapping, rape or murder.

Supporters argued that someone confronted by the threat of violence shouldn’t have to decide whether it’s safe to retreat or not. They also argued that people who act in self defense shouldn’t have to fear prosecution.

But Lynch and many police officers had visions of shootouts on the streets.

“SB318 would authorize any shopper to instantly shoot and kill a thief who had grabbed or tugged at the shopper’s purse or briefcase, regardless of how many shoppers might be placed in harm’s way by such actions,” Lynch said in his veto message.

Rundles said the bill would have made it harder to prosecute a case of road rage where angry drivers intentionally smashed into each other’s cars on a busy highway.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said drug dealers would have gained a new right of self-defense if they shot another criminal who tried to rob them and killed a bystander in the process.

The Senate narrowly passed the legislation 12-11, with Manchester Sen. Andre Martel saying afterward he’d voted in favor by mistake. The House voted it down at first but passed it on the second shot, 193-134.

Lynch said he seen no evidence that anyone had been unfairly prosecuted in New Hampshire for acting in self defense.

[neverdem]

BANG!

[jess35]

Excuse me sir, are you planning on raping, kidnapping or murdering me?

[The Red Zone]

do these doodz live in plastic bubbles?

[paul51]

do these doodz live in plastic bubbles?

No, they don't believe anyone should have the right to use deadly force other than the police. For that matter, there is no reason for anyone else to be armed other than the police and the security forces for the elite.

[veriez-un-sundriez]

You know Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (D) signed HB 2615, the NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill, into law just this week. I guess the NH Governor doesn't trust the people who put him into office with live or death decisions. Well, they did put him in office. I guess he has a point.

[T.L.Sink]

I thought John Lott and many other researchers exposed the myths surrounding "right to carry" laws long ago. It's a fact that law-abiding citizens who excercise such rights actually deter violent crime.

This is a sociological fact. We all heard the nonsense about trigger-happy people turning our communities into Dodge City before such rights were obtained -- and even afterwards, when the data clearly proved this wasn't true and actually was a net benefit -- some still refuse to accept the truth!

[FRONTLINER]

"But Lynch and many police officers had visions of shootouts on the streets."

Visions of shootouts ? LOL ! That's a good one .... that hasn't happened where I live and our state passed the same type of law .

[SkyDancer]

This is the same thing that happened in Scotland. The courts said you have to "try" to talk the person out of committing an act of violence against you either in public or in a home invasion .... not only is justice blind there, it went out for a beer ....

[taxesareforever]

“SB318 would authorize any shopper to instantly shoot and kill a thief who had grabbed or tugged at the shopper’s purse or briefcase, regardless of how many shoppers might be placed in harm’s way by such actions,” Lynch said in his veto message.

When someone wants to veto a bill they bring out the most outragious scenario to justify their veto. What a crock this reason was.

[goldstategop]

Lie. I guess John Lynch thinks only the elite should have the right of self-defense.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[thegreatbeast]

It's a shame what the MASS Exodus has done to NH politics. Damn!

[tiger-one]

A human can move 21 feet in one and half seconds. Think about it, can you retreat to a safe place, by the time you recognize the threat? Can you draw and fire in that time? I doubt it. How often do practice? So you pop the perp, knife him, pepper him then knife him, pour hot frying oil on him, you will still need a lawyer .

You are with your wife, girl friend, kids and the condition goes from green to red in a fraction of a second. You will defend your loved ones; you will not back down, you will grab the threat by the throat, and squeeze until he empties his bladder and large intestine. You and your loved ones will survive. Even if this law was enacted, the lawyers would still see to it you ended up broke, and the libs would see to it the perp was the victim,

Remember Bernie Gets?

[sopwith]

Law or no law attack me or my family you get an extra hole in your head. Our last gov. would have signed this bill in 2 seconds.

[George W. Bush]

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said drug dealers would have gained a new right of self-defense if they shot another criminal who tried to rob them and killed a bystander in the process.

They must have a contest on who can dream up the most phony objections.

[traviskicks]

"The bill would have allowed people to use deadly force in any place they had a right to be if they thought someone was about to commit a crime against them. Now, people must retreat when it’s safe to do so unless deadly force is required to prevent kidnapping, rape or murder."

So, if you're about to get 'only' mugged, don't resist or you could go to jail, says the STATE. Some better news:
(NH) Governor Signs "No Emergency Gun Confiscation" Bill





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