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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Peter J. Daley |
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Daley votes for Castle Doctrine
HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Washington/Fayette, voted Tuesday for legislation that would protect individuals who use a gun for self-defense.
The House voted 159-38 for H.B. 40, known as the "Castle Doctrine." It would make significant changes to language in Pennsylvania law that requires people to retreat if they can do so safely when they are threatened, and give people the right to stand their ground and defend themselves if they are threatened or attacked in any location where they have a right to be.
The bill also would extend the Castle Doctrine defense to people being threatened on their porch, deck or patio, but it could not be used in resisting officers of the law.
“This legislation reaffirms that the constitution states that Pennsylvanians have the right to bear arms in defense of themselves," Daley said. “Everyone should be able to stand up and confront someone if their family or property is in danger.”
The bill also would grant immunity in civil cases where a person can justify the need to protect himself against a perpetrator threatening him with death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or rape.
“Law-abiding citizens know that we should not have to run from violent crimes," Daley said. “You should not have to stop to think of the legal repercussions that could occur and a result of lethal force in the name of self-defense. Those seconds could be critical.”
The legislation goes to the Senate for consideration. It is not clear whether the Senate will consider the bill before its current legislative session ends.
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