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http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar28/0,4670,DeadlyForce,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar28/0,4670,DeadlyForce,00.html
Texas Governor Signs Deadly Force Bill
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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AUSTIN, Texas — Texans will be able to use deadly force to defend themselves in their homes, cars and workplaces under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Rick Perry.
The bill states that a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder before using deadly force. The building or vehicle must be occupied at the time for the deadly force provision to apply, and the person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity.
The Legislature approved the measure this month, and the National Rifle Association backed it. The law takes effect Sept. 1.
"The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but it is intuitive to human nature. You ought to be able to protect yourself," Perry said.
Some refer to the measure as the "castle doctrine," drawing from the idea that a man's home is his castle and that he should have the right to defend it.
Several other states have passed similar laws, including Alaska, Florida and Kansas.
The law will also provide civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in any of the circumstances spelled out in the bill. Police and prosecutors can press charges if they feel deadly force was illegally used, legislative sponsors said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.