11250 Waples Mill Road ·Fairfax, Virginia 22030 ·800-392-8683
www.NRAILA.org
Posted on 04/05/2006 9:30:42 AM PDT by neverdem
Fairfax, VA – Today, Governor Bob Riley of Alabama signed the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Castle Doctrine” bill (SB 283) into law. Senator Larry Means and Representative Albert Hall sponsored the self-defense bill.
With overwhelming support, SB 283 passed the Alabama House with a vote of 82 to 9 and the Alabama State Senate with a vote of 30 to 2.
NRA’s chief lobbyist, Chris W. Cox, stated, “We thank Governor Riley for signing this vital legislation into law for the people of Alabama. Law-abiding citizens now have the choice to defend themselves and their families in the face of attack without fear of criminal prosecution and civil litigation.”
The “Castle Doctrine” bill removes the “duty to retreat” if an individual is attacked in his or her home, vehicle, place of business or any other place he or she has a legal right to be. This legislation also states that victims may use necessary force to defend themselves against the attacker.
Continued Cox, “I would like to thank the bill’s sponsors, Senator Means and Representative Hall, and the Alabama State Senators and State Representatives who supported this bill. As always, we also thank all the NRA members and lawful gun owners who contacted their representatives and urged them to support this vital self-defense measure.”
--nra--
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.
I've only recently heard of these "duty to retreat" laws. What an absurd concept someone once thought up. If I'm in my home I have to run away? Ridiculous.
I'm glad I've heard of them in the context of them being repealed.
I'll say it again, Bob Riley for President! Trust me...he's running! And I'm voting for him!
What about protection from litigation from criminals and their families?
AHHHH! Idiot reporting AGAIN!
Common Law NEVER had a duty to retreat in your own home unless it was from residents of the home (ie husband/wife)
Castle Doctrine is about TORT REFORM. This takes away the right of some criminal to sue a home owner for protecting his home and loved ones.
oops forgot the < sarc / off >
See comment 6.
Bama bump!
Riley is a tax-raising RINO. but at least, as President, he'd be out of Alabama's hair.
"Duty to retreat" was a hangover from old common law, as I understand it. Sounds like something the British toffs made up to cow the populace. Kudos to the Great State of Alabama for dumping it.
Another Governor signs a "If you are found here at night, you will be found here in the morning" Bill.
Hip, hip hurrah for the Governor.
I was under the impression that Riley intentionally had the tax-raising bill shot down so he would have no complaints when he immediately cut taxes afterwards. Or am I incorrect?
As I recall, he intentionally supported the tax raising bill knowing it would be shot down overwhelmingly (due to public outcry). Then he did an about face and cut taxes, which is what the people want...and in the face of the 'raise taxes!' bit being shot down, I believe the Alabama House and Senate were much more willing to capitulate.
*shrugs*
Tell me more. Nothing like a good ol' boy for president.
That's true, but in this one instance there was more to the story.
You see, Alabama is a very conservative state...but we've got pockets of hyper-leftists such as the looney Communist Morris Dees (Southern Poverty Law Center), and we've got a capricious DA in Jefferson County named David Barber (great family in Alabama, lousy DA). This DA has threatened a couple of home owners with Grand Juries after they shot burglars in their homes (naturally they beat the raps).
But by hook or by crook, DA Barber's actions caused ordinary home owners in Jefferson County to wonder if they have to retreat rather than defend their home/family.
So a problem to the above was passed into law today. No one has to wonder any longer about being hassled by a grand jury or an over-zealous prosecutor for defending your home, life, property, family, friends, etc.
Note the lopsided vote totals above. That's Alabama. Mostly conservative, but with a few hyper-leftists in our midst.
Moreover, what Alabama is doing today is just what Alabama was doing 15 years ago in helping lead what will become a nationwide trend in gun laws. Back then it was Concealed Carry (now legal in 47 states nationwide). Now it is self-defense.
Our news media will tell you that all trends start in California and New York...but our news media doesn't know squat about the U.S.
These new Castle Laws will sweep 47 states just as fast, or perhaps even quicker, than did the Concealed Carry laws...and these laws didn't start in California or New York.
Nor did electing President Bush, for that matter.
Which is to say, national trend after trend is beginning in the Heartland, not in hyper-left-wing blue states.
You heard it here, first (certainly not in our news media).
The legislature fought anything Riley wanted to do tooth and nail and presented an ridiculous package of Tax raises, fees , etc. Riley shot it down, the legislature threw it up again -- Riley said OK, if this is the only way to save the state let's put it to a vote of the people.
So Riley presented the whole package of tax Raises etc to the state and said vote yes or no. He then got the legislature to agree that if the state voted no that they would approve his budget of Services cuts, tax cuts, and incentives.
Riley campaigned hard to get the referendum passed - but when it failed he kept his word and forced the legislature to keep theirs. The result - Alabama is one of the top performing states economically, we have one of the lowest unemployement rates, businesses are coming to the state right and left.
Riley gladly has my vote this year.
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