Alabama Legislature Passes Castle Doctrine Bill

dr_cmg · March 29th, 2006, 11:05 AM

Tuscaloosa News
Article published Mar 28, 2006
Legislature passes bill to expand when deadly force can be used

By BOB JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer

The Alabama House gave final passage Tuesday to legislation to expand the instances where a person can kill someone to protect a home or vehicle.

The House passed the legislation 82-9 after breaking a filibuster by some black legislators, who expressed concern it would cause people to be shot when they accidentally stray on someone's property.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Bob Riley. A spokesman for the governor, David Ford, said Riley has said he supports the bill.

Similar legislation, called "castle laws" in some areas, has been adopted in Florida, Indiana and South Dakota. The legislation is backed by the National Rifle Association.

The House has debated different versions of the bill on six different days this session and Tuesday passed a Senate version sponsored by Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla.

Sen. Larry Means, a lifetime NRA member, said he read about Florida's law in the NRA magazine last year and decided to try to pass similar legislation in Alabama. He tried to pass it in the special session last year without success and brought it back this year.

"It's not an election year issue," he said.

Asked about its impact, he said, "What it means to the citizens of Alabama is they will be able to protect their homes, businesses and automobiles from someone forcibly entering them and not fear prosecution."

"Anyone can feel comfortable about protecting their families if someone breaks in their home, business or car," Means said.

The bill removes language from current law that says a resident should not use deadly force during a break-in if he or she can "avoid using force with complete safety."

Rep. Albert Hall, D-Gurley, sponsored the legislation in the House and said it was one of the toughest bills he ever tried to pass.

"The only thing this bill changes is you don't have to retreat. You don't have to give the law breaker the upper hand," Hall said.

The veteran lawmaker felt so passionate about the issue, he was on the House floor pushing the bill Tuesday even though his wife, Mary Ann, died less than two weeks ago of cancer.

Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, led a filibuster by some black lawmakers.

"It gives too much leeway for someone to shoot someone," Rogers said.

Hopefully the Governor will sign it today. Next order of business is to make Alabama a shall issue state.

BTW I don't care much for the writer's use of the word "kill" in the first sentence. Fortunately he quotes Sen. Means, "What it means to the citizens of Alabama is they will be able to protect their homes, businesses and automobiles from someone forcibly entering them and not fear prosecution."

Rock and Glock · March 29th, 2006, 11:07 AM

Fantastic news! Congratulations to Alabama!

srfl · March 29th, 2006, 11:17 AM

More true "common-sense" laws passing in our great nation.

P95Carry · March 29th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

to expand the instances where a person can kill someone to protect a home or vehicle.

Yes I too was gonna comment on that - why use the word ''kill'' - it is quite unnecessary - and sure is not useful when it comes to Brady et al moaning about it!!

However that aside - excellent news and I hope as I have said before, that the momentum across other states is continued. I must write my congress critters and see if we can get PA on the sensibility wagon.

ExSoldier · March 29th, 2006, 12:39 PM

I got my very first CCW permit issued in Tuscaloosa as a student at BAMA. I thought it was always "SHALL ISSUE?" My permit was so easy it's unbelievable. I was in the parking lot for the Sheriff in my ROTC uniform. The sheriff came out and looked me over. Looks good to me! That was it. Issued on the spot for about $15 IIRC.

BCurry1 · March 29th, 2006, 01:12 PM

Congrats Bama!!

rstickle · March 29th, 2006, 01:48 PM

That's great news.

RSSZ · March 29th, 2006, 02:10 PM

My hats of to ya'll in 'BAMA. The citizens and the NRA worked hard for this one as they did in Flah-Dah. Way to go ------

Pitchar · March 29th, 2006, 02:46 PM

I'm moving to Alabama

dr_cmg · March 29th, 2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitchar

I'm moving to Alabama

Come on down. Always glad to have a CC member here. Where are you moving to and when?

March 29th, 2006, 11:05 AM	#1
dr_cmg Lead Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,555	Alabama Legislature Passes Castle Doctrine Bill Tuscaloosa News Article published Mar 28, 2006 Legislature passes bill to expand when deadly force can be used By BOB JOHNSON Associated Press Writer The Alabama House gave final passage Tuesday to legislation to expand the instances where a person can kill someone to protect a home or vehicle. The House passed the legislation 82-9 after breaking a filibuster by some black legislators, who expressed concern it would cause people to be shot when they accidentally stray on someone's property. The legislation now goes to Gov. Bob Riley. A spokesman for the governor, David Ford, said Riley has said he supports the bill. Similar legislation, called "castle laws" in some areas, has been adopted in Florida, Indiana and South Dakota. The legislation is backed by the National Rifle Association. The House has debated different versions of the bill on six different days this session and Tuesday passed a Senate version sponsored by Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla. Sen. Larry Means, a lifetime NRA member, said he read about Florida's law in the NRA magazine last year and decided to try to pass similar legislation in Alabama. He tried to pass it in the special session last year without success and brought it back this year. "It's not an election year issue," he said. Asked about its impact, he said, "What it means to the citizens of Alabama is they will be able to protect their homes, businesses and automobiles from someone forcibly entering them and not fear prosecution." "Anyone can feel comfortable about protecting their families if someone breaks in their home, business or car," Means said. The bill removes language from current law that says a resident should not use deadly force during a break-in if he or she can "avoid using force with complete safety." Rep. Albert Hall, D-Gurley, sponsored the legislation in the House and said it was one of the toughest bills he ever tried to pass. "The only thing this bill changes is you don't have to retreat. You don't have to give the law breaker the upper hand," Hall said. The veteran lawmaker felt so passionate about the issue, he was on the House floor pushing the bill Tuesday even though his wife, Mary Ann, died less than two weeks ago of cancer. Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, led a filibuster by some black lawmakers. "It gives too much leeway for someone to shoot someone," Rogers said. Hopefully the Governor will sign it today. Next order of business is to make Alabama a shall issue state. BTW I don't care much for the writer's use of the word "kill" in the first sentence. Fortunately he quotes Sen. Means, "What it means to the citizens of Alabama is they will be able to protect their homes, businesses and automobiles from someone forcibly entering them and not fear prosecution." __________________ George Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

March 29th, 2006, 11:07 AM	#2
Rock and Glock VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado at 9,500' Posts: 3,748	Fantastic news! Congratulations to Alabama! __________________ Richard NRA Life Member "This world is not a playground where children at play are pampered by friendly nannies," Wendelin Wiedeking

March 29th, 2006, 11:17 AM	#3
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,270	More true "common-sense" laws passing in our great nation. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

March 29th, 2006, 12:39 PM	#5
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,207	I got my very first CCW permit issued in Tuscaloosa as a student at BAMA. I thought it was always "SHALL ISSUE?" My permit was so easy it's unbelievable. I was in the parking lot for the Sheriff in my ROTC uniform. The sheriff came out and looked me over. Looks good to me! That was it. Issued on the spot for about $15 IIRC. __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

March 29th, 2006, 01:12 PM	#6
BCurry1 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,316	Congrats Bama!! __________________ Curry

March 29th, 2006, 01:48 PM	#7
rstickle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 9,872	That's great news. __________________ Rick EOD - Initial success or total failure

March 29th, 2006, 02:10 PM	#8
RSSZ Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,847	My hats of to ya'll in 'BAMA. The citizens and the NRA worked hard for this one as they did in Flah-Dah. Way to go ------

March 29th, 2006, 02:46 PM	#9
Pitchar New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 1	I'm moving to Alabama

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