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January 20, 2006
Alaska lawmakers consider expanding deadly force as self-defense
By MATT VOLZ
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
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.
--
Ms Liberty - United States of America
50% of U.S. households own a gun but few people ever practice
with them. Your gun is not a lucky rabbit's foot that will bestow
protection on you, just by keeping it around. If you own one, you
have a moral obligation to yourself to learn safety, get training
and learn how to use it, then stay in practice so you don't
forget and get rusty. Take as much training as you can afford and
practice regularly. After all, you are the militia.
.
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