Fairfax, VA. ¾ The Texas State Legislature today gave final approval to the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Castle Doctrine” bill (SB 378), bringing common sense self-defense protections to law-abiding Texas citizens.
Texas is the first state to pass “Castle Doctrine” legislation this year, making it the sixteenth state to recognize the importance of victim’s rights.
“I want to thank the Texas Legislature for working together to pass this vital legislation and take further steps in protecting the people of this great state,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “Law-abiding citizens now have the choice to defend themselves and their families in the face of attack knowing their decision will not be second-guessed by the State of Texas.”
SB 378, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wentworth (TX-25) with 27 co-authors and the House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Driver (TX-113) with 106 co-authors, states that if a criminal breaks into your occupied home, your vehicle or your place of business, the victim may use any manner of force against that person and does not have a “duty to retreat”. The bill also provides protection for persons using force authorized by law from liability for injuring their criminal attackers.
“On behalf of all NRA members in Texas, I want to thank Senator Wentworth and Representative Driver for their diligence in passing this important bill into law,” concluded Cox. “The Castle Doctrine bill is about putting the law back on the side of the victim, the way it’s supposed to be.”
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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.