EDITOR: Each news account suggests contradictory information. Below are two quotes lifted from editorials. Unfortunately, we do not have access to H. B. 40 and would welcome a reader forwarding the amended text to us.
NEW ERA: “Expanding the ‘castle doctrine’ opines: “… the new bill… requires that defendants legally own the guns and that they need to visually spot a weapon on the attacker before shooting.” … “In most instances, retreating is the better option when a person sees a gunman or knife-wielding assailant approaching. But in those cases where retreating is not possible, that person – if he happens to be a responsible, law-abiding gun owner – should be able to do whatever is necessary to prevent himself from becoming a victim of violent crime.”
Are we talking about a hunter carrying a rifle or pistol, an undercover police person whose shirt has parted exposing a weapon, or someone pointing a gun or rushing us with a knife? Clearly in the last case current law permits shooting as an act of self defense. Also, how do we tell after the fact if the shooter was “law abiding?”
In the early morning hours, the Watchdog’s father heard what he assumed to be an intruder downstairs, took his gun and almost shot the person. Fortunately at the last second he recognized it to be his cousin to whom he had given a key in case he needed a place to sleep.
And if just using your gun is only a matter of feeling threatened…Lord protect us from all of the paranoids out there when walking down a dark street and the vibrator on our cell phone goes off and we reach for it strapped to our hips..especially if we happen to be a young male of color!
HELLERTOWN PATCH: Article “PA House Judiciary Passes Amended Castle Doctrine” argues:
Max Nacheman, executive director of CeaseFire PA, an anti-gun group, said passing the legislation would be a mistake.
“A lot of people are confused about this issue because some people have been misleading,” said Nacheman. “The Castle Doctrine is law in Pennsylvania. In your own home you may use deadly force without retreating…and you can do the same thing anywhere else you’re allowed to be if you can’t retreat safely.”
Nacheman said the expansions under H.B. 40 could lead to deadly violence over parking spaces and gang turf wars.
“This expansion enlarges that zone…to pretty much wherever you happen to be,” he said. “That doesn’t make sense. We just think that self-defense is one thing; it’s a sacred right that we don’t think should be infringed on. The Castle Doctrine was supposed to be to protect yourself and your home. Outside of that, if you can walk away safely, I don’t see any reason why anyone would have to use deadly force.”
