Indiana First State to Allow Citizens to Shoot Law Enforcement Officers

Monday, June 11, 2012
(graphic: traditioncreek.com)
Police officers in Indiana are upset over a new law allowing residents to use deadly force against public servants, including law enforcement officers, who unlawfully enter their homes. It was signed by Republican Governor Mitch Daniels in March.
 
The first of its kind in the United States, the law was adopted after the state Supreme Court went too far in one of its rulings last year, according to supporters. The case in question involved a man who assaulted an officer during a domestic violence call. The court ruled that there was “no right to reasonably resist unlawful entry by police officers.”
 
The National Rifle Association lobbied for the new law, arguing that the court decision had legalized police to commit unjustified entries.
 
Tim Downs, president of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, which opposed the legislation, said the law could open the way for people who are under the influence or emotionally distressed to attack officers in their homes.
 
“It’s just a recipe for disaster,” Downs told Bloomberg. “It just puts a bounty on our heads.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
To Learn More:
Senate Enrolled Act No. 1 (Indiana Legislature)
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Comments

Tracy Ball 4 years ago
This should be the last time I in every state just because you have a badge doesn't give you the right to break constitutional laws it happens every day and should never happen. How many deaths have happened from people being assaulted in their own homes from police illegally entering them and man cases of police killing people when they are at the wrong house.
Lord 4 years ago
Police should only be nervous about misinterpretation via the news being passed from mouth to ear. But if they're worried, then they shouldn't enter the house w/o a warrant. What happens if they do is between them and a possible barrel. Flex your rights people and defend your families and yourself against INTRUDERS, regardless if they wear a badge or not.
rascal 4 years ago
Personally I side with the law enforcement community. Just try walking in their shoes for a week. Too often we forget what they have to see and experience daily. Things most of you would consider only in your nightmares. If you ever even allowed yourself to think about who does all the dirty work, to protect people. Past time we protect Their rights. Rethink this law, The days of the "do anything you want" law enforcement is over, seeing how police officers are under surveillance when they come to your door. Give them respect and you will see they really are wonderful people.
Edward C. Stengel 6 years ago
Indiana is way ahead of most other states when it comes to protecting the rights of citizens. In Indiana you don't have to obey a police officer unless he's in uniform or you see him/her getting out of a marked squad car in plain clothes. That's the way it should be because nobody can be sure that these plain clothes cops are really cops. That gives the citizen the right to protect himself against the unprofessional and reckless conduct of police officers. This law to protect citizens against the illegal entry into their homes by police officers does the same thing. Indiana has the right idea.
jay dog 6 years ago
If police are worried about being shot when entering a home illegally maybe they shouldnt enter a home illegally. Thats why there are laws to make police get warrants just for this reason. If police are are upset with this law in means they are upset that they can no longer break the law.
Mr Frank Grasha 7 years ago
It states that if they break the law and forceably enter your home you can shoot them , Whats wrong with that Cops are not allowed to break the law ! They are not special people , They were hired by the citizens to protect and serve.
Rick 7 years ago
It's been over a year since this went into effect...haven't read of any LEOs killed and this used as a defense...
bob bobington 8 years ago
if they dont want shot then they dont have to do it isn't that what cops say when they murder people why cant it apply to them to
Parker Stahura 8 years ago
We should have the right to defend our life from the jumpy "my personal safety trumps constitutional rights" police state. Mitch Daniels, great job.
John 8 years ago
Here in Texas it is very bad - Stop Nazi shoot first ask questions later by the police.police lie ... train to lie and invent in court and on police reports.Remove police exemptions. Let them be sue,dept,get damages. time to root out bad seeds of cops confusing good cops and public.

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