House OKs bill to expand person’s right to self-defense with a firearm
House Republicans advanced a bill Thursday to extend the area where a person can defend themselves with a firearm, an expansion of the socalled “castle doctrine” that has been a top priority for pro-gun groups for years.
House Bill 2049 changed the definition of “dwelling” from a building or house to the edge of the property line, possibly justifying a person’s use of deadly force to protect themselves as long as they are on land they own or rent.
Also referred to as “stand your ground laws,” Oklahoma law does not require a person to leave a situation if they feel threatened. Instead, current law states someone has a right to stay and shoot a person who is threatening their safety, as long as they are in their home.
Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, the bill’s author, said that the expectation of self-defense should include the entire property.
“This is a simple bill ... on your property if you feel that your life is threatened you have a right to protect yourself,” Hardin said. “This bill was never intended where you could just walk out and shoot anybody on your property. But if that person confronts you with deadly force, then you would be allowed to use deadly force.”
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Democrats, who voted against the bill, expressed concern that innocent encounters, possibly with trick-ortreaters or hikers mistakenly coming onto private property, could end in a shooting death.
“Maybe I’ve been watching too much ‘Yellowstone,’ ” said Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, referring to the TV series that centers on property rights disputes in Montana. “But can you understand that there is some concern that this definition really opens this up to the possibility of unsafe actions?”
Hardin disputed those claims, saying any shooting would still be investigated by law enforcement and a person would be held accountable if it were determined their life or safety was not at risk.
Pro-gun groups have lobbied for the bill, including the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association.