MINN passes personal protection bill.

[powderman]

Minnesota Senate Passes ‘Personal Protection Act’ - Expands Self-Defense Rights  Article Gun Laws, Self Defense, Concealed Carry - 02.28.2012     Story by: S.H. Blannelberry
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Follow  Last Thursday, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill that would expand self-defense rights outside the home for law-abiding citizens.   

The Personal Protection Act, as it's known, was passed by the Senate 40-23. The bill gives citizens the right to use deadly force for personal protection outside the home to any place where an individual lawfully can be, the bill’s sponsor Sen. Gretchen Hoffman (R-Vergas) told local reporters. 

“This bill isn’t just about guns, it is about allowing any use of deadly force if necessary to guard against imminent danger,” Hoffman added.

A version of the bill was approved by the state House last year.  However, the Senate version will go back to the House for a final review.  If the House approves it, then it will head to the desk of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. 

Gov. Dayton has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, but told local reporters that he usually sides with police officers, many of whom oppose the measure. 

While Minnesota currently has a ‘Castle Doctrine’ law, proponents of the bill argued that it’s not enough.

“Current law favors the criminal. With the duty to retreat, you put the onus on the victim,” Hoffman said. “We need to empower people to protect themselves.”

“Federal reports show much of major crime is happening outside the house,” added Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) a former Douglas County sheriff.

Opponents of the measure have nicknamed it the ‘Shoot First’ bill.  They contend that current law provides sufficient protection for Minnesotans and that the law opens up the door for risky behavior.   

“This says killing people shouldn’t be a last resort,” said Sen. John Harrington (DFL-St. Paul), a former St. Paul police officer and chief. 

Dave Kolb, Champlin police chief representing the Minnesota State Chiefs of Police Association, told reporters that the “legislation would make law enforcement work more dangerous and could make it easier to defend murder.”

“I don’t think that’s the intention of the bill, but that’s the loophole it creates,” he said.

Hoffman countered these arguments by explaining that a court would still decide whether or not an individual acted reasonably in using deadly force to defend himself/herself.  Moreover, that the bill includes language that states a person cannot use force against someone they “know or reasonably should know” is a peace officer. 

We’ll keep you posted on the progress of this bill. Tags: 2nd Amendment, Concealed Carry, Gun Laws

[mirage1988]

And of course governor goofy mark dayton (democrat) vetoes it.
Maybe yellowtail or guzzijohn will explain how and why I am not allowed to defend myself if I feel threatened? Lefties make me wanna puke.

[Brewster]

 Officer Kenneth Olson was shot and killed while answering a prowler call on Ninth Street Northeast, East Grand Forks, at 0230 hours on July 19, 1978. While investigating the call the man who called to report the prowler opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Olson in the chest.
Officer Olson had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife.
 
The above is one reason Dayton veto'd.

[twoshooter]

I am sorry, that was tragic, but it is certainly no worse than if the officer fired on a homeowner with a gun who was outside checking for prowlers, and I somehow suspect the officer would be let off as "justified". If he was checking for prowlers he should have pulled up in a marked car with a siren going, so it was plain who and what he was. If you want a safe job, be a crossing guard.

[Brewster]

Two cops responded.  Both in uniform and in marked units.  All according to procedure.  The veto may not prevent such incidents from happening again but will reduce the possibility.  We have a castle law, but what Cornish & Co want is exactly what happened in 1978, without consequences.

[mirage1988]

Officer Kenneth Olson was shot and killed while answering a prowler call on Ninth Street Northeast, East Grand Forks, at 0230 hours on July 19, 1978. While investigating the call the man who called to report the prowler opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Olson in the chest.
Officer Olson had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife.
 
The above is one reason Dayton veto'd.

The bill is about personal protection when in fear of your life, not about shooting prowlers.

[Empty Quiver]

I have not kept up with the proposal.  Here is my take for what it is worth.


As it stands and as I understand it, if I feel that my life or someone near me's life is in imminent danger I am justified to shoot, that is right now currently. Does not matter if in my home or on the golf coarse or at the local bar.


 The simple defense of property however does not meet the standard of life threatening.  The law would give one greater leeway in those instances. At least that is what I have gathered in my rather limited exposure to the proposal. If this is true, I'll be honest, I'm okay with what has happened ... so far.


Tell you what I believe would make a difference, to me, would be a parking lot bill.

[Curtis]

Tell you what I believe would make a difference, to me, would be a parking lot
bill.

Ours (Texas) got signed into law last year.  It is a victory but not much will change at my workplace, the parking lot was likely full of guns before the law passed.  Most native Texans that I know are like that, however we have more liberals moving into the state daily so I'm glad to have things "nailed down".
 
Curtis
 
P.S.  Heh, that got me remembering.........  My first Contender pistol was purchased by me somewhere around '89 when a co-worker walked into the maintenance shop of my last employer, placed it on the break table and announced "I'll take $200"!!  What a different climate we have in our country a short 20 or so years later.

[r29l20]

JUST DON"T KILL A BLACK.

[BUGEYE]

Officer Kenneth Olson was shot and killed while answering a prowler call on Ninth Street Northeast, East Grand Forks, at 0230 hours on July 19, 1978. While investigating the call the man who called to report the prowler opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Olson in the chest.
Officer Olson had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife.
 
The above is one reason Dayton veto'd.

The bill is about personal protection when in fear of your life, not about shooting prowlers.

liberals don't understand the difference... lack of brain cells or something.

[Brewster]

Existing Minnesota law does provide for the use of deadly force to protect against perceived great bodily harm.  To suggest otherwise is disingenuous, to put it politely.

[Empty Quiver]

Existing Minnesota law does provide for the use of deadly force to protect against perceived great bodily harm.  To suggest otherwise is disingenuous, to put it politely.

If this were not true why on earth have a carry permit licensing system?

And of course governor goofy mark dayton (democrat) vetoes it.
Maybe yellowtail or guzzijohn will explain how and why I am not allowed to defend myself if I feel threatened? Lefties make me wanna puke.

You are allowed to do just that currently. However you had better be able to convince a jury that not only did you FEEL threatened but that in fact you were in danger of death or great bodily harm.  Feeling should not be enough reason to kill someone. Mr Zimmerman is about to have these discussions with a Fl. jury. No doubt he would like to have a do over of that day.

[Cuts Crooked]

If this were not true why on earth have a carry permit licensing system?

That one is simple to answer. The carry permit system will make it easier to find gun owners once the new republican party agrees with the UN about disarming Americans.