PA State House approves 'stand your ground' self-defense bill

[RamboLiberal]

HARRISBURG -- By a more than 4-1 margin, the state House tonight sent to Gov. Ed Rendell a bill that expands the use of self-defense in Pennsylvania.

Called "stand your ground" legislation, the bill enables people to use lethal force to defend themselves without retreat outside their homes. Currently the law allows those protections within one's home.

Critics contend it amounts to a law permitting people to"shoot first and ask questions later."

The bill was approved by a 161-35 vote. Gun groups, many of them from Western Pennsylvania, pushed for the bill's passage over the past five years.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_709483.html

Rendell might as well sign it since Corbett certainly will when he takes over.

[X_Digger]

1. Wonder if it'll be a last 'finger' for him?

It irks me that the only time I see him on national boob tube is when he's mumbling some inanity or flat out lying about firearms. (Saw him on Keith a while back, last I recall.)

[Hoopla Phil]

2. Good news for Pennsylvania. n/t

[ManiacJoe]

3. Link to the bill:

Assuming I found the right one (HB 1926)
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1926&pn=4477

[old mark]

4. Finally! I am glad it passed - and I know many Democrats in the legislature

supported it. I have emailed my rep several times in support of the bill over the last years, and I'm glad it is to become law. It makes things much clearer...

mark

[RamboLiberal]

5. Rendell: Expanding Castle Doctrine would 'precipitate additional violence'

Gov. Ed Rendell said he'll review the amendment passed by the House on Monday expanding the the so-called Castle Doctrine.

The governor said some Democrats had urged him to veto it, which had been attached to the Megan's Law bill. Rendell said he'll meet with Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico to find the balance with the views of the Pennsylvania District Attorney Association on the legislation.

Rendell said he supports the Castle Doctrine but not expanding it.

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Rendell-Expanding-Castle-Doctrine-would/I5hzE_xoM02i7jmP2VJCUw.cspx

That's helpful in a big gun owning state like PA Ed - NOT! Face it, with a Repub legislature and a Repub governor coming in this will be law anyway!

[PavePusher]

6. Now if only Ed could cite to where this has happened elsewhere...

But I suspect he's merely part of the denialist "Any day now, you mark my words, yes-sir-eee...." crowd.

Edit: I don't know about Ed, but I have absolutely no "duty to retreat" before the acts of a criminal. Criminals should be faced with ovwerwhelming force whenever possible.

[ileus]

7. Great news for Pa...congrats my PA friends.

[old mark]

8. It is about time that passed - I hope Rendell does sign it, just to give the lie to the

old "Democrats are all anti-gun" bullshit...unfortunately, Rendell has always been one of the REALLY antigun Democrats, so nothing is certain...but if he does not sign it, he is damaging the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania for many years to come.


mark