Alaska Governor Signs Vital Castle Doctrine Legislation!

[Desertdog]

Alaska Governor Signs Vital Castle Doctrine Legislation!
http://www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation/Read.aspx?ITNDrop=2285-L


Governor Frank Murkowski (R) has signed SB 200, the “Castle Doctrine” self-defense bill, into law.

This bill simply states that if a criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle, or your place of business, the potential victim does not have a “duty to retreat.” The bill also provides protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves from criminal attack.

The “Castle Doctrine” bill met with overwhelming, bipartisan support, passing with a unanimous 33-0 vote in the State House and 16-0 concurrence vote in the Senate.

Alaska joins 10 other states that signed similar legislation into law this legislative cycle.

Congratulations, Alaska!

 

[quazi]

This just made my day.

 

[stevelyn]

Now a bunch of armed citizens need to head over to Muldoon and go shopping, see a movie, have dinner.............put the smackdown on feral underclass thugs.

 

[jamz]

Congratulations Alaska!

 

[beerslurpy]

I would have been surprised if AK would let FL catch up to it as the most pro-gun state in the union.

 

[Ala Dan]

Congratulations To Everyone In Alaska~!

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Home, vehicle, and place of business?

What about out on the street? In a park? In somebody else's business? Walking to your car in a dark parking lot when set upon by a roving gang of eskimos?

 

[XDKingslayer]

Seals. Roving band of seals. The Eskimos are on our side.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Ok, but is there a duty to retreat in Alaska if you are in the parking lot and haven't quite made it to your car yet?

 

[musher]

The bill started out as no duty to retreat from anywhere you had a legal right to be, but it got watered down to home, business, or vehicle. Disappointing.

Current Alaska law requires that you retreat if you can do so in COMPLETE safety. You probably ought to be doing that anyway. The biggest problem I see is that you don't have immunity from civil liablility outside of those places listed in the new law, even if it's legitimate self defense situation.

Edited to add that it looks like civil immunity applies to ANY self defense that is determined to be legitimate unless you defend yourself against a police officer, firefighter, or emt type. That's good news. Also the section provides for the award of 'reasonable attorney fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of a civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is not liable'

 

[stevelyn]

They'll probably fine-tune it next legislative session.

Remember the first CHL law with permits and fees and training and....?

 

[musher]

You're right. In three years, it'll probably be a duty to attack.

 

[carebear]

I've been (in general) real pleased with the official response to the recent spate of pansy-wannabe-gang shootings.

One mention of a "buy back" plan, haven't heard of it since.

The city manager (in an interview this afternoon) made the point that if someone you know has an illegal gun, convince them to turn it in. If they have a legal gun, but they're prone to violence and being stupid, encourage them to get rid of it.

Hadn't heard that one before, puts the onus on family and friends to control their idiot relations before something happens. I like it.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Duty to attack?

 

[AirForceShooter]

The bestest part is immunity from civil suit.
Come in my house , sure. I have a shooting license with your name on it.

AFS