A Missouri bill proposes to expand the state’s “stand your ground” law to give shooters and other attackers the benefit of the doubt when they say they were acting in self-defense.
During a state Senate committee hearing, Sen. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, butts heads with the bill sponsor, Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington.
“This is something that’s been universally applied in red states, blue states, and it hasn’t created issues, hasn’t prevented prosecutions,” said Brown.
“Sir, it has prevented prosecution. In California, they just arrested a gang member on the federal level because this could not allow the Los Angeles County prosecutor to arrest them on the state level,” said Washington.
The bill states that a person who uses or threatens to use force in self-defense is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless there is probable cause that the force was unlawful or was used against law enforcement.
Washington referenced the 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl parade mass shooting to Brown. One woman was killed and more than 20 others were injured in the shooting.
“All of those people who shot felt that they were justifiable shootings, and under this they would not have been able to be charged. Thank God we were able to charge them under the current law and they are sentenced,” said Washington.
“It doesn’t mean that if you believe that you have a reasonable situation to use a firearm, that doesn’t mean that full stop you can’t be prosecuted,” said Brown.
The bill states that a person who uses or threatens to use force in self-defense is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless there is probable cause that the force was unlawful or was used against law enforcement.
The Senate committee has not yet voted on Senate Bill 363.
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