Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill seeking to lower the standard in Tennessee for the use of deadly force when protecting private property passed the Senate along party lines on Tuesday and now waits on the House to take its floor vote before it can become state law.
SB1847 by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 25) allows for the use of deadly force if a person “reasonably believes deadly force is immediately necessary to prevent the other’s imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or aggravated cruelty to animals” in the event the person using deadly force cannot protect their property any other way or of the use of force by other means would expose them or someone else to risk of death or serious bodily injury.
Shooting a person in the back would not be justified under the bill’s protections.
On the Senate floor, Democrats made the same arguments they have carried through the entire committee process, claiming this legislation would broadly allow individuals to shoot and kill others without compunction like in instances where a person may use another’s driveway to turn around or a child climbing a fence to retrieve a ball.
Sen. Hensley reiterated that the person using deadly force would absolutely have to justify that was their only recourse in court and that the bill is very specific in what circumstances deadly force would even be considered appropriate.
The vote was 21-5 along party lines in favor of passage, and the Senate now awaits House action.
Companion bill HB1802 by Rep. Kip Capley is awaiting a floor vote, having been set on the House calendar since April 13 but not yet heard as the legislature pushes through all its remaining bills before the end of the week.
HB1802 features an amendment the Senate companion does not, clarifying that to fall under self-defense statutes, the person who uses deadly force in protecting their property must not be “engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor” and “is in a place where the person lawfully resides.”
If it is to pass, HB1802 will have to be heard in the next couple days as the General Assembly intends to adjourn for the year no later than Friday, April 24.
If you support this legislation, you can use this tool to find the contact information for your Representative.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good, thanx.