Idaho: Self-Defense Bill Goes to Senate Floor

On February 26^th, the Idaho state Senate State Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 1313 and voted to pass it with a 7-2 vote.  This important piece of legislation, which has the backing of law enforcement and prosecutors, will improve the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves in Idaho.  SB 1313 will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration.  Please contact your state Senator and strongly urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 1313.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact committee members.

Senate Bill 1313, sponsored by Senator Todd Lakey (R-12), would consolidate and codify existing law to clearly protect the inherent right of a person to defend themselves.  This legislation clarifies that in the exercise of self-defense, a law-abiding citizen may stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they have a legal right to be.  SB 1313 also protects the right of a person to defend himself against intruders who enter the defender’s home or business unlawfully or by force, without the defender having to demonstrate that he reasonably feared that the intruder was about to cause death or great bodily harm.  The unlawful or forceful entry is enough to establish a legal presumption that the defender’s fear of serious injury was reasonable—and, therefore, that the defense against the criminal was reasonable as well.

Again, please contact your state Senator and urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 1313.