Legislation introduced to strengthen South Dakota’s self-defense laws
South Dakota
Gun Owners E-mail Alert
PO Box 3845, Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 737-5583
LibertyTeeth@sdgo.org
http://www.SDGO.org
Monday, January 23, 2006
The right to defend yourself and your loved ones is the cornerstone of the right to arms. Over the past 18 years, SDGO members and supporters like you have won many significant victories to defend and restore this right.
Now we have the opportunity to help pass a bill that will fortify our state’s self-defense laws.
Current law allows you to resist if you or anyone in your family is about to be injured. It also provides for the defense of property by force, if necessary (SDCL 22-5-9 and 22-18-4). House Bill 1134 would make it clear that you may resist “by force or violence” if you have “reasonable apprehension of threat of bodily injury” toward yourself or any family member. The bill would also maintain your right to use force or violence to defend your property, and would establish that you do not have a duty to retreat from any place you have the right to be. This is perhaps the greatest benefit offered by HB 1134.
Action:
HB 1134 has been assigned to the House Judiciary committee. Please express your support for HB 1134 to the committee members listed below. You can contact them either by email, or by leaving a message for them at the House Lobby: (605) 773-3851. Messages can be left for up to two representatives at a time between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can use the sample letter below to help direct your comments.
House Judiciary Committee
(Click on the name of each representative to view their personal contact info)
---- Sample Letter ----
Dear Representative:
I support HB 1134. It clarifies our state’s law regarding the defense of life and property, and better recognizes my inalienable right to self-defense. If HB 1134 is passed, it will give South Dakotans greater security and will help provide safety to families all across the state.
HB 1134 recognizes that each man’s home truly is his castle. I respectfully urge you to vote for HB 1134.
Sincerely,
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