OKLAHOMA CITY (April 15, 2011) – State Reps. Steve Vaughan and Mike Ritze today praised Gov. Mary Fallin for signing legislation that strengthens Oklahomans’ Second Amendment rights.
"I greatly appreciate Governor Fallin for standing up for the self-defense rights of law-abiding citizens," said Vaughan, R-Ponca City. "Unfortunately, current law did not make clear that business employees can defend themselves with lethal force when their lives were threatened. Now, those workers will not have to fear jail time if they shoot a robber."
This week, Fallin signed into law House Bill 1439, by Vaughan and co-authored by Ritze. The bill expands the right to use deadly force to business employees who have reason to fear death or great bodily harm. Previously, state law allowed individuals to use deadly force only in their homes; HB 1449 expands that right to include their place of business.
"We’ve all seen news reports where a clerk or small business owner was brutally assaulted," said Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. "Those citizens should have the right to self-defense without having to second-guess themselves or fear prosecution."
The new law will go into effect Nov. 1.
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