Governor Brad Henry signs "Stand Your Ground" self defense bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Legislation that gives greater legal protections to people who use deadly force when threatened or attacked was signed into law Friday by Gov. Brad Henry.<br/><br/>The legislation,

Friday, May 12th 2006, 11:01 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Legislation that gives greater legal protections to people who use deadly force when threatened or attacked was signed into law Friday by Gov. Brad Henry.

The legislation, which received bipartisan support in the House and Senate, expands citizens' rights under existing self defense laws to protect themselves inside their home to other locations, including their car or another person's home.

The measure also removes a duty on the part of citizens to retreat in the face of an attack and authorizes them to use deadly force to protect themselves when they believe they are in danger in any place they have a legal right to be such as their office, a supermarket or on the street.

"This act will allow law-abiding Oklahomans to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property," Henry said.

Supported by the National Rifle Association, the measure is opposed by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington. The Brady Center has said the measure could lead to an increase in gun violence and deaths.

The law, which goes into effect Nov. 1, is patterned after a similar law in Florida which has been in effect since October. Similar bills have been passed by lawmakers in Kentucky and Georgia and signed into law by the governors of Mississippi and Alabama, according to the Brady Center.

The new Florida law has been mentioned as a potential defense for a truck driver who shot an unarmed car owner, for a man who allegedly started a fight and then shot his opponent and in a gang confrontation that resulted in two deaths.

Prosecutors and law enforcement officials had voiced concern that the legislation might impede their ability to investigate deadly shootings. The bill prohibits the arrest, detention and prosecution of someone who uses deadly force unless officials find there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

The measure's author, Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City, has said it would not prohibit law enforcement authorities from using routine methods to investigate a self defense shooting.

Calvey was not immediately available for comment.