There's one term that comes up over and over again when we run into case examples of concealed carriers responding to a violent threat: justification of the use of deadly force. A gun is immediately deadly force. As concealed carriers, we're just Plain Jane or Joe citizens. We're not sworn officers of the law and…
I'm going to open this article with a statement that is beyond contention: I am not an attorney. I am not licensed as an attorney in any state in the Union. I can not receive fees for giving legal advice. Nothing I write or say should be construed as such advice? Are we clear on…
Avoidance and retreat are usually the best and initial strategy for handling any physical conflict self-defense situation, especially if you are carrying a concealed weapon. Think about this statement and whether or not you agree with it. Just because you avoid a confrontation does not mean that you are scared or weak or do not…
Since the recent tragedy of Trayvon Martin, and George Zimmerman's trial, in Florida, there has been a significant reaction to not only the highly controversial philosophy of gun ownership for personal protection, but also the amount of leverage given to those who do by the laws. The laws that seemingly receive the most praise by…
Members of the Louisiana Senate Committee of the Judiciary deferred an another attempt to weaken the state's self defense laws. HB1100 was launched by Rep. Burrell ostensibly as an attempt to clarify state law but Chris Rager, a lobbyist for the NRA, said Louisiana law does not allow people to be an aggressor. “The harm of the bill…
The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin has brought Florida's "stand your ground" law into the spotlight. Similar laws exist in the Tri-state area, but with small variations across state lines. Ohio uses the "castle doctrine," while Kentucky and Indiana use "stand your ground." A 2010 case, involving 60-year-old Ralph Powers, illustrates Ohio's castle doctrine. Powers was not…
Amid all the demagoguery regarding the tragic case arising from the death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, there have been calls to repeal Florida's landmark "stand your ground" law, which was enacted in 2005. There have also been numerous misleading remarks on how the law was enacted and where the language came from. I am writing to…
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday signed a bill to widen the right to use deadly force in self-defense. The bill, enacted by the Senate last week, will expand the state's castle doctrine to allow the right to use a gun or other deadly force in self-defense in situations outside a person's home or business. Currently,…
In Pennsylvania, as in most states, your home is your castle and you have a right to defend it. Soon, you will be able to add your car. Or the sidewalk. Or anywhere you "have the legal right to be." The state Senate, in a 45-5 vote, gave final approval Monday to the so-called castle…
Today, House Bill 40, NRA-backed castle doctrine legislation, passed in the state Senate by a 45 to 5 vote. This bill will now go to Governor Tom Corbett for his consideration. Introduced by state Representative Scott Perry (R-92), HB 40 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home…
As reported by the NRA yesterday, the North Carolina House Judiciary Subcommittee C sent House Bill 650, the NRA–backed omnibus gun bill, to the House floor for a vote. However, there is now a strong effort by the anti-gun lobby to add amendments that would weaken both the current Castle Doctrine language and Parking Lot/Employee…
Iowa House Study Bill 18 (now House File 320), “Emergency Powers Reform” and House File 7 (now House File 573) “Stand Your Ground” legislation, passed in the House Public Safety Committee and survived the recent legislative “funnel.” Now, HF 320 and HF 573 both need your help to be brought to the floor of the…
