Last Friday, the state Senate passed
Senate Bill 1313, a "Stand Your Ground" bill, on a party-line vote of 29-6. All Democrats voted no. The House State Affairs Committee approved it Thursday morning and it now heads to the House floor for a full vote.
The bill clarifies state law that citizens may defend themselves against intruders in their homes, places of employment or business, and vehicles. Citizens could use deadly force without having to retreat or, for example, determine if the gun held by an intruder is loaded or not. It would put the burden on the prosecutor to prove that the citizen's use of deadly force wasn't justified, as opposed to requiring the citizen to prove so.