Castle Doctrine Legislation Sabotaged in Senate Judiciary Committee

Tuesday, March 27, 2011

Senate Bill 88, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/default.aspx introduced by Senator Boutin (R-SD16) http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/senate16.asp would, <b>in theory</b>, remove the duty to retreat and allow law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home, to defend themselves, and other persons and to defend themselves any place outside of their home.

However last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/sencom.asp agreed to an amendment, offered by Senator Jim Luther (R-12), http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/senate12.asp which could inadvertently put a victim’s life in jeopardy, and provide fodder for anti-self defense prosecutors and judges to undermine your right to self defense. The amendment approved by the committee states: <i><b>“A person is not justified in using deadly force on another to defend himself or herself or a third person from deadly force that he or she provoked.”</b></i> Clearly, the term “provoked” is too broad and sets the stage for victims having to defend themselves for a second time in the courtroom, if you are lucky enough to survive the physical attack.

Please contact your State Senator http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx today and urge he/she to restore the human right to self defense and self preservation by voting “NO” on the Luther http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/senate12.asp amendment to Senate Bill 88. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2011/SB0088.html