A public hearing will be held on House Bill 1354, "Castle Doctrine" legislation, in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 204 of the Legislative Office Building.
Sponsored by Representative Howard C. Dickinson (R-Carroll 01), HB 1354 simply says if a criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle, or your place of business, you may presume he is there to do bodily harm, and therefore, you may use necessary force against him. The bill removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a legal right to be and it provides protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves from criminal attack.
Please attend Tuesday's hearing in support of HB 1354. If you are unable to attend, please call your State Representative at (603) 271-2111 and ask him or her to support HB 1354.