Mods, please feel free to lock this thread the second it becomes an "Us Vs. Them" thread.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/201...police-enteri/INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers could legally defend themselves against police officers who enter their home under a measure that the Indiana House approved on a 74-24 vote, moving it another step toward becoming law, on Thursday.
Hoosiers, help me out here. The way I read this, pretty much anybody who disputes the legality of police entering their home could open fire on officers. Folks who do not understand (or agree with) probable cause or Citizens who may mistake an officer’s intent could challenge officers with a gun?
In 15 years on the job, I am hard pressed to remember a bad guy who actually thought I should be inside his/her home. Yes, I know- there have been and are bad cops out there unfortunately.
Just this week I was investigating a report of a male "casing" homes in an area experiencing a high amount of burglaries ("prowler"). I followed foot prints along the side of a house and into a backyard of what appeared to be an unoccupied home. The MO of the burglars had been to kick in back doors to gain entry into the home. Once in the back yard I was greeted by a resident that was beyond pissed that I was "snooping" in his yard, to the point I believe many younger officers may have drew a Taser or handgun on the guy.
Luckily, I was able to talk him out and explain what led me to his yard. Once he calmed down, it was determined it was the man’s brother, who had locked his key inside the house, looking for a way in. We then actually had a lengthy conversation about his rights, crime and-yes, guns. I left with a hand shake and he told me he had a new respect for his local PD, and that I am always welcome to watch his property. I still don't know why he was so defensive initially.
With the way this article reads, (assuming I was in IN) that same guy could have came out and opened fire on me. From his initial perspective, I did not have the right to be there.
I am all for “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine”. Indiana Code Section “35-41-3-2 (b) A person: (1) is justified in using reasonable force, including deadly force, against another person; and (2) does not have a duty to retreat; if the person reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person's unlawful entry of or attack on the person's dwelling”...Which is very similar to my state. I am also for citizens suing officers/departments who knowingly and legitimately violate people’s rights.
So I ask, is this article just written with a liberal slant? Do folks here believe this is good legislation? I am curious to hear others input on this.
Again, I do not want this becoming a LEO debate.Rep. Craig Fry, D-South Bend, said the bill “is going to cause people to die.”
“And it’s too late after somebody dies for a jury to sort it out. Somebody’s going to die, whether it’s a police officer or an individual who thinks a police officer is entering their home unlawfully. People are going to die,” he said.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by jwfuhrman
Bookmarks