Senator Kevin Matthews is looking to include new restrictions use of deadly force under the state’s Stand Your Ground law. The Tulsa Democrat said he believes citizens have the right to defend themselves, but people are beginning to provoke a violent situation instead of avoiding the use of force.
“This law is clear – Oklahomans have a right to expect absolute safety within their homes, businesses and vehicles. If they feel their lives are being threatened or they’re going to be hurt, they have the right to protect themselves however they feel necessary including using deadly force,” said Matthews. “However, we’re starting to see cases where people are overreacting to a situation where they aren’t truly in danger and they could simply call the police to resolve the situation peacefully. But instead they’re shooting people who haven’t necessarily committed a crime or had no intentions of hurting them.”
Senate Bill 1009 clarifies that someone must be attacked “without provocation” because Matthews believes the law should not be used as a defense for someone who escalates a situation by taunting, arguing or provoking another person.
“When a homeowner starts an argument with one of their guests they shouldn’t be able to use this law as a defense when they played a role in causing the violence. The same goes for people in their cars; unless someone is trying to enter your car and hurt you, just drive away. A person shouldn’t be able to shoot someone from their vehicle just because they’re irritated or scared – drive to a safe place and call the police.”
Matthews cites two recent shootings in northeastern Oklahoma.
“There have been two recent cases where I believe people were shot unnecessarily and this law was wrongly used as a defense. One involved an Owasso teenager who was playing the prank of ringing door bells and running off but one of the homeowners shot the honor student as he was innocently running away from the house. He survived but another young man wasn’t so lucky after he was approached while sitting in his car with his girlfriend in a Tulsa apartment parking lot. The young man supposedly backed his car toward an approaching security guard who shot the young man multiple times as he was driving away. That 21-year-old died unnecessarily because the guard, like the homeowner, was in no danger and could have called the police for help.”
Another good liberal standing up for felons and thieves.
The case he is speaking of is a legitimate one of wrongful death. there is always the danger of creep and diluting “Stand Your Ground” too much but the above case is and example of why it might be good to loo at it.
If I shoot you and tell people I was i fear for my life because you scared me it becomes almost too easy.