House OKs Bill For Residents Defense

[Fireman13]

Finally !!!!

Legislation dubbed the "Castle Doctrine" and "Shoot to Kill Bill" was approved by the Texas House Tuesday and sits on Gov. Perry's desk.

The bill gives Texans a stronger right to defend themselves with deadly force against intruders.

According to the bill, a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder in his home, workplace or vehicle before using deadly force. The person using force cannot provoke the attacker.

The measure also protects those using deadly force from civil lawsuits filed by the intruders.

Perry has indicated he will sign the bill.

Under current law, residents must attempt to retreat before a confrontation.

The National Rifle Association backed the bill.

[Chance Love]

Even with a Criminal Justice degree, I never knew we had a duty to retreat, in our home? I always thought that if someone set foot in your house, they get shot. Period. And that if they made it back outside to drag them back in. I like the part of the new bill/law where it says they (the intruder) can't file a civil lawsuit. But, if you hit them where you are supposed to, that wouldn't be a possibility anyway.

[GarrettH]

Retreat would be the last thing on my mind and the first on the mind of the dead person that broke into my house.... The new law is awesome

[thehairlessone!]

That is awesome! It is only common sense to me and that is the way it should be in every state.

Just image how much lower the crime rate would be if it was.

rick

[keith in Colorado]

Good law, colorado has had the make my day law for about 20 years, basically the same thing, we recently tried to have that extend it to bussinesses and vehicles but it got shot down in committee

[Mike D]

This is a good thing because it goes beyond just your house. It covers you in your vehicle, place of business and place of employment. It also protects you from civil liability by the person you shot (provided that he lives) or his family (when he doesn't live).

I also heard that SB 378 passed along with it that addresses carrying while in your vehicle.

And one of the local radio station were saying that one of the bills that passed allows you to have a weapon on your work premises locked in your vehicle regardless of any employer policy not allowing you to do so. I'll have to look into that one a little more.

[Mudshack]

Only in Texas!! And I love it. I can't tell you how it maddens my last nerve to hear intruders sue a landowner for civil damages after they are shot trying to rob a house (or worse). Or how about the intruder's family sueing for manslaughter if the homeowner actually did kill the intruder.

Way to go TEXAS!!!

[Texastaxi]

Finallly, a law/bill that makes sense!
Maybe the number of robberys and car jackings will go down if the criminals KNOW they could be shot.

Kudos to all that helped/are helping to push this through!

[Mudshack]

Finallly, a law/bill that makes sense!
Maybe the number of robberys and car jackings will go down if the criminals KNOW they could be shot.

The real question is...will the insurance company replace the window after you shoot through it in self defense. lol

[thehairlessone!]

Seems like Texas may be the only state where the politicians have any common sense.

rick

[Bill]

Of course your retreated before shooting, who'd know the difference in your home.

Best advice I was given on an armed confrontation in my home was from my wife's uncle, a Superior Court judge. Uncle Ed said unless your bullets are numbered sequentally, shoot the SOB and leave the last bullet to shoot into the ceiling and call that one your "warning shot" before he kept coming at you. An old stilletto knife bought from a flea market found in his hand without your prints on it could not hurt, either.

[Seemore]

Seems like Texas may be the only state where the politicians have any common sense.

rick

I would not go that far, they are still POLITITIONS!!!!!!!!!!

[doncom]

Seems like Texas may be the only state where the politicians have any common sense.

rick

Not really, but at least we weren't last:

From the Associated Press:

The bill has been dubbed the ''castle doctrine,'' from the idea that a person's home is his castle and he has the right to defend it. Fifteen other states have passed similar laws.

[Outbreaker]

Seems like Texas may be the only state where the politicians have any common sense.

rick

Yeah right.

It is still illegal to carry concealed wire cutters on the open range......the penalty is death by hanging.