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News I can use...from the NRA-ILA news ticker thingy in my sidebar, I see Gov. Phil Bredesen somehow found the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing (despite being a Democrat) and sign the 'Castle Doctrine' Bill into Tennessee Law.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Fairfax, VA - Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has signed into law the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Castle Doctrine” bill (HB 1907) bringing common sense self-defense protections to law-abiding Tennesseans.

“Gov. Bredesen and Tennessee lawmakers recognize the value of ensuring that law-abiding citizens have the option and the right to protect themselves when criminals attack,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “This is a victim’s rights measure that puts the law on the side of victims, who don’t have the luxury of time when confronted by a criminal. This law removes any mandate of forcible retreat set either in state statute or in case law.”

One thing I'll never forget from the Concealed Carry training class I was mandated to take in order to be deigned my right to carry a handgun, was the need to have the 'fear factor' as your reason to use your firearm. One had to be afraid in order to pull the trigger in self-defense..and you had to prove you were afraid. If you couldn't prove that you were skeered (I guess by providing a post-encounter underwear sample), any maneuver you made involving use of your concealed weapon could be challenged by Authorities (who weren't even there, or you wouldn't have needed to throw down in the first place).

In other words, if you could retreat, then you had to retreat. So, the procedure was, to stand there and analyze the situation, look for avenues of escape, try to mollify the bad guy, and hope you didn't get shot before you could react...mighty complicated analysis, to correctly decide to fire a round. Then, the fact that every shot you fired was accompanied by a lawyer, who, no matter if the adversary had obvious criminal intent or even if he had shot at you, the minute you fired, every little thing would be taken against you in a court of civil law...on the side of the bad guy! And, the little fact that one's homeowner's insurance woudn't cover the legal action....it seemed almost better to not carry, and get one of Ted's, Nancy's and Harry's Surrender Kits...

The “Castle Doctrine” bill passed in both chambers with unanimous bipartisan support. This legislation allows an individual to use force to protect him or herself wherever they have a legal right to be. The bill also provides civil immunity for those who defend themselves from criminal attack.

That's what should have been in effect the whole time.

No one ever wants to have to use any weapon against another human. "Killing someone is taking away everything they are, everything they were, and everything they ever could be." Shouldn't have to happen. But if it is something a person has to do, at least now the burden of proof is shifted to the criminal, where it belongs.

Let's thank the sponsers of this "Castle Doctrine" legislation:
















Senate Bill 11 sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (D-25)



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