House OKs Bills Restating Right to Kill Intruders

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Updated: 11:20 AM Feb 10, 2012 House OKs Bills Restating Right to Kill Intruders RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia's House of Delegates has written into its law books centuries of common law allowing people to kill those who intrude into their dwellings and menace them. Posted: 11:20 AM Feb 10, 2012 Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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February 10, 2012

Virginia's House of Delegates has written into its law books centuries of common law allowing people to kill those who intrude into their dwellings and menace them.

One bill that shields people who kill or maim intruders from civil lawsuits passed 75-22 Thursday.

The more contentious of the two, however, protects people from criminal prosecution. It passed 70-28.

Critics said it's too broad, potentially conferring a license to kill over misunderstandings and petty provocations easily resolved without lethal force. They also said it's redundant because common law dating to 17th century England already protects people who defend their homes and families from threats.

Supporters dismissed the grim hypotheticals, saying it helps people be more secure in their homes.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 10, 2012 at 04:13 PM

All this does is tell potential home invaders that their potential victims aren't going to be such an easy target. There. I fixed your post for you.

Posted by: SuperDave Location: Charlottesville on Feb 10, 2012 at 03:19 PM

All this does is tell potential home invaders to be more heavily armed - don't try invading a home with a switchblade. You're going to need an assault weapon, but those are easy to get in Virginia.

Posted by: Realsville on Feb 10, 2012 at 12:05 PM

I would like to know what one of those 28 anti gun liberals who voted against this bill would do, or would like to do, if a home invader broke into their house, trapping them, and police are 10-15 min away?

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