There's a need for the proposed "stand your ground" law.
Let's say you're a woman walking with the man of your life. Suddenly three guys whose sport is intimidation confront you. Tough talk quickly escalates to their grabbing you and tearing off your clothing.
Wouldn't you expect your man to step in to defend you and do everything possible to stop this attack? That is what good people do when their loved one is attacked. He might find something to use as a weapon or if he is carrying a knife or a gun, he may decide use it to stop your attackers.
Under current Minnesota law, should he threaten your assailants with anything that would be considered "deadly force," he could be charged with a crime for using too much force to protect you. The same could be true if you were alone and did the same to stop your attackers. The problem is a victim can't tell the difference of the level of threat they are facing and therefore, the level of force permitted.
Is this the Minnesota you want, where good people can't protect themselves or their loved ones? Why shouldn't a woman be able to defend herself with all reasonable means she has available? The proposed Stand Your Ground bill would fix that.
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Please e-mail or call your legislators today and ask them to support HF 498 or SF 446. We can make Minnesota safer, just not safer for criminals.
Gene German
Executive Director
Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance
Excelsior, Minn.
