Houma Representative Beryl Amadee withdraws her bill that would extend Stand Your Ground legal protections to houses of worship amid concerns it creates loopholes that incentivize violence.
Amadee says her legislation had the backing of the Louisiana Family Forum, Louisiana Baptist Association, and even consultation from AG Jeff Landry and the NRA.
“With recent attacks, including the shooting in a synagogue in San Diego, and three church fires right here in Louisiana just weeks ago, it’s clear that places of worship have become targets.”
The law stated in the event someone shoots a person in a house of worship and claims self-defense, that there is a legal presumption that force was reasonable, making it harder to prosecute them.
The Terrebone Parish Republican says a limited survey of shootings shows the “good guy with a gun” can save lives in the event of a mass shooting.
“In a recent FBI study of six mass shooting events where a law-abiding citizen intervened, four were successful. That’s a 66 percent success rate.”
But opponents say the legislation could extend to interpersonal conflicts, and poorly defines what a “justifiable threat” is in a church. Senate Judiciary B Chairman Gary Smith appreciated the gesture, but…
“It’s a travesty that we have schools and churches, and place that should be safe, that even have to consider this, but I do believe that your bill has some holes in it.”
