Alaska lawmakers consider expanding deadly force as self-defense By: MATT VOLZ
JUNEAU, Alaska -- Alaska lawmakers are considering expanding a state law so a person could use deadly force to protect themselves not just at home but anywhere in the state.
The bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Gene Therriault from North Pole, drew the support of the National Rifle Association during a hearing Thursday before a legislative committee.
"If you're walking down the street and a rapist tries to drag you into an alley, or if you're walking through a parking lot and a kidnapper tries to drag you into his van, you do not have to retreat," said Brian Judy of the NRA. "You can choose to stand your ground and fight with force."
Sen. Gretchen Guess, a Democrat from Anchorage, wondered if she would be held liable if somebody shot at her at a mall and she fired back. The answer was no.
"You can't take out your gun and shoot wildly into the crowd," Therriault said. "If, in fact, you took out the aggressor, you would be exempt from prosecution."
Deputy Attorney General Susan Parks said the state supports the concept of the bill, but it could make it more difficult to prosecute gang members, drug dealers and other criminals from prosecution if they claim self-defense in a shooting death.
"Our concern here is that this also going to protect the bad guys, because they are going to say, 'I had a right to protect myself,' even if they're up to no good," Parks said.
Parks also noted the families of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of a self-defense shooting may have no recourse.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/01/21/news/politics/21_14_541_20_06.txt*FW Note:"Our concern here is that this also going to protect the bad guys..."Well, that's
the vexxing issue for government and the law isn't it?
Those darn laws apply to everyone.
... even government officials.
:shock:
