A Democratic state lawmaker wants to repeal New Hampshire’s so-called Stand Your Ground law.
State Representative Stephen Shurtleff says the law goes too far in giving individuals the right to use deadly force in a public place.
Shurtleff has filed legislation to repeal Stand Your Ground in New Hampshire. The law allows people to use deadly force anywhere they have a right to be if they feel their lives are in danger.
Previously, people had a duty to retreat to safety if possible.
On NHPR’s The Exchange, Shurtleff said the law solves a problem that doesn’t exist in a safe state like New Hampshire.
“Under Stand Your Ground, if a person uses deadly force an inadvertently kills an innocent third party, that family has no civil recourse, and that to me is intolerable.”
A Republican-led Legislature passed the law in 2011, overcoming a veto by former Governor John Lynch and despite opposition by law enforcement. It went into effect last year.
Shurtleff wants to see the state go back to the so-called castle doctrine, which only gives people the right to use deadly force as a first option in their homes.
Governor Maggie Hassan has said she opposes Stand Your Ground.