Lawmakers Hear Arguments on Self-Defense Bill

Harrisburg, PA Fox 43 WPMT-TV ^ | November 19, 2009 | Craig Layne

[Still Thinking]

Clergy members oppose legislation; gun rights groups endorse it

HARRISBURG - Some of Pennsylvania's clergy say a state house bill being considered will increase gun violence and deaths, while supporters contend the bill simply expands your right to self-defense.

Dozens of clergy members crowded the steps in the Capitol rotunda Thursday morning to rally against House Bill 40. The group had gathered at the Capitol to watch a House Judicial Committee Public Hearing on the bill.

The piece of legislation eliminates the "duty to retreat" if you are confronted by an attacker. It also expands the so-called "castle doctrine." That's a piece of common law that states your home is your castle and can be defended with deadly force.

"The bill restores the human right to self-defense, which has been eroded away by our criminal judicial system," John Hohenwarter with the National Rifle Association said.

The bill states someone who fears serious injury, death, kidnapping or rape can use deadly force against an attacker without fear of prosecution or civil suit.

"This is clafifying and offering protections to people who act in self-defense," Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association founder David Pehrson said. "Criminals shouldn't have the right to victimize you and then double-victimize you by suing you if you defend yourself," he said.

Clergy Opposition

"It just sets us up for more tragedy and more grief," Rev. Kathy Harvey Nelson of Red Lion said. Members of the religious group Heeding God's Call watched Thursday's hearings on a TV monitor set up in the Capitol rotunda.

"I visualize deaths in the streets all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if they pass this," Bishop Kermit Newkirk of the Harold O. Davis Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia said.

Law Enforcement Reaction

The Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association and Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association oppose the bill. Law enforcement leaders fear an escalation in violnce. They also worry drug dealers and other criminals will use the bill to claim self defense, though the bill prohibits such a claim if people use deadly force while committing a crime.

"The concern I have there is proving that an individual was actually involved in illegal activity at the time," Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said.

House Bill 40 has more than 100 co-sponsors.

[Still Thinking]

"I visualize deaths in the streets all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if they pass this," Bishop Kermit Newkirk of the Harold O. Davis Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia said.

Yeah, just like happens every time they recognize more of the rights they had been infringing on, you moron. Can't these people even read?

"The concern I have there is proving that an individual was actually involved in illegal activity at the time," Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said.

"Sentence first, trial after!" -- Queen of Hearts (no, that's not Barney Fwank) Poor widdle poor government, it's so inconvenient for them to actually have to PROVE people broke the law. [facepalm]

[Still Thinking]

"The concern I have there is proving that an individual was actually involved in illegal activity at the time," Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said.

ONOZ! My paid servant would be inconvenienced and have to do his job as it's been described for over 200 years! Never may that happen! I better just give up my Constitutional rights instead.

[RanGreHad]

Why do so many so-called “religious” people serve as pleaders for the most ungodly people of all?

[Still Thinking]

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness. But their end shall be according to their works." -- 2 Cor 11:13-15

[Still Thinking]

And you just know there’s all these people who want to murder somebody but can’t do it till the state makes it easier to carry legally.

[marktwain]

“Why do so many so-called “religious” people serve as pleaders for the most ungodly people of all?”

It probably isn't all that many. The reporters pushing an agenda control the public debate by carefully choosing who to quote. You can bet that there are many religious people who support this legislation who were not quoted.

[sockmonkey]

You can bet that there are many religious people who support this legislation who were not quoted.

I went to the Heeding God's Call Website. They have a broader agenda than just gun control. They also want an end to the military, all wars, etc. I guess they forgot about Cain & Abel who had no guns, and were not in the military, didn't live in Gaza..

I actually feel nauseous after perusing their site, and seeing the Philly area mosques, churches, etc who are members of this group which seems to be founded by Quakers.

What really irked me was to see two Catholic Churches listed since the Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear on Self Defense, and in fact our Castle Doctrine in TX is pretty much in line with Catholic Teaching.