Deadly-force law would be loosened under Missouri bill (Castle Doctrine)

[Doondoo]

Missourians would be allowed to use deadly force to defend themselves from intruders in their cars as well as their homes under a measure passed by the House on Monday.

The bill, called the "Castle Doctrine" after a concept in English common law, also would protect home and car owners from civil lawsuits if an intruder is killed or wounded.

Twenty-five states have similar legislation. Deadly force is justified under Illinois law if there is a reasonable expectation of bodily harm.

Under current state law, Missourians can defend themselves with a deadly weapon only if they feel threatened, or to prevent arson or burglary, or to protect someone else from injury or death.


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/690B814E9F3D8AD68625728800185BC7?OpenDocument

[northzax]

1. just a question:

exactly how many Missourians have been convicted of using deadly force in protection of their homes or cars? Heck, how many have been tried for this? or is this another way of removing judgement from elected officials (like DAs)?

[Solo_in_MD]

2. After seeing how some DAs behave, taking away some if their discretion looks to be a good thing

[northzax]

3. or simply hold them accountable

though the electoral process, like those old guys in wigs thought we should do. either one.

[MadHound]

4. If it is inside your house, none

And there have been a number of these sorts of self defense cases that have gone through, and the person who was defending themselves did not get penalized in any way, civil or criminal. Home invasions are starting to become popular, even out in the boonies, but being as there are a lot of armed people in this state, we have lots of dead home invaders. One recent case, the crook actually lived through it, albeit he no longer has an arm. He tried jacking a house where the people collected swords and other such blades. He came out without his shooting arm.

This bill is completely unnecessary and unneeded. Current laws cover this possibility already. All this is for is to pump up the gun sales and have an armed populace driving around. It's sad really, for I'm willing to bet that if you put laws like this, or the CCW law to a public vote, they would both lose. But God knows, the NRA has got to be pleased, and sadly, they have a lot of pull down in the capital.

[kestrel91316]

5. So let me get this right. If I am a Missourian in my car in a parking lot and

some other driver is headed toward my car and looks like he MIGHT not be going to stop in time, I get to SHOOT HIM?

Cool. Could make a serious dent in the Bad Driver population this way.

[Karenina]

6. Florida, Texas and now Missouri...

Seems TPTB are happy to have you kill each other off! :bounce::freak: