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House Votes to Expand Right to Use Deadly ForceBill must now go to the Senate for approvalRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - In Juneau, the state House approved a bill expanding the right of individuals to use deadly force in self-defense. The bill expands that authority to “any other place where the person has a right to be.” Countered Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, "So we're asking for that individual in a time of being scared, nervous, etc., to think, 'Hmmm, does it fit the statute here, does it fall into second degree?'" Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, pursued the issue: "So the problem is, you know you're safe. You know others are safe. And it's that step too far with robbery in the second degree, when there is no deadly weapon, there's not a grave threat of substantial injury." Pruitt said it’s not just a matter of weapons. "If you're looking at a very large individual, they may not need a gun. They can still put some sort of harm on you that you don't know in that instance whether or not they're going to use, physically, their hands, their feet, whatever it may be, to cause harm to you." The House passed the bill 33 to 5. It still must go to the Senate. |
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larry Wilson said on Saturday, Mar 30 at 6:00 PM
UsedToTourAlaska, Iqnorance of the law is no excuse. Now that you've shown yours we'll be watching you.
117270022aksurvivor said on Sunday, Mar 24 at 7:20 AM
We need to feel safe in any situation we encounter. why do we have to run or try to get away from an aggressor??? I have been an alaskan since the 70's and have relatives that are retired from A.P.D. and they say times have changed from back in the day. Kids are killing kids and will shoot you or stab you like its nothing... we need to step out of the shadows and let these bad people know if you try something you could die or be messed up for life.
116808955UsedToTourAlaska said on Friday, Mar 22 at 5:44 AM
"Do me a favor, NewFriend. Take my car and go get me some more beer and cigs. Here's the keys." "OK." Boom. "I was forced to kill him, Officer. He was stealing my car."
116674242ImWithHer said on Thursday, Mar 21 at 2:49 PM
I agree with the problem comment. . . when you shoot a criminal, then there may be one less criminal on the street, how horrible does that sound?! More often that not, criminals get out only to commit more crime - just like that native guy who held the little boy at knife-point in the JCPenny mall. He was only out of jail for a week! If only he had pointed a gun or stick at the APD. . we wouldn't have had that second issue with him.
116636821Marian F. said on Thursday, Mar 21 at 12:54 PM
Uhhh...yeah Mike J. I agree with you. I don't have medical problems to your degree but do have issues due to a personal injury & just plain old genetics. I am only 35 & when I was assaulted at the Dimond Center by the same young girl that did it at my apartment I knew I couldn't run up the darn escalator that was conveniently out of service with my son & escape her. There are days I can barely walk & in that instance it did escalate my feeling of being "threatened”. Then I run into the Dimond Skating rink and get lip service from the male employee who allowed her boyfriend to enter & threaten me some more. Meanwhile I tell my son to run and hide by the lockers. The darn employee had the nerve to state “at least he asked to enter.”
116629801the problem said on Wednesday, Mar 20 at 5:58 PM
The problem is if you shoot a criminal, 1st 2nd degree whatever, then there may be one less on the street and soon, no more problem.
116568271Mike J said on Wednesday, Mar 20 at 5:52 PM
I'm a Cancer survivor with Peripheral Neuropathy. I haven't been able to run (or even jog) since the summer of 2007. This helps to define my feeling 'threatened', though before I was often nervous.
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