HB 129 Would Let People Shoot to Kill in Public Even if There is a Clear and Safe Alternative
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, urge the lawmakers in the Senate to reject dangerous “Stand Your Ground” legislation.
HB 129 would let people shoot to kill in public even if there is a clear and safe alternative. The bill prohibits a judge or jury from even considering whether a person was unreasonable in refusing to avoid an armed conflict.
Stand Your Ground legislation is unnecessary in Utah – a state that already recognizes the right to use force, including deadly force, in self-defense whenever it is reasonable under the circumstances. Research finds that states with Stand Your Ground laws have a clear increase in homicides. Additionally, there is no evidence that Stand Your Ground laws deter crime.
STATEMENT FROM TERRI GILFILLAN, VOLUNTEER WITH THE UTAH CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We’re disturbed that our elected leaders chose to advance this dangerous Stand Your Ground bill. Stand Your Ground is a reckless policy, long endorsed by the gun lobby, that gives a person unnecessary leeway to shoot to kill a person in public spaces. There is no evidence this policy deters crime – in fact, it has been shown to correlate with increases in homicides. At a time when the rest of the country is discussing gun violence prevention, the Utah legislature’s decision to consider Stand Your Ground legislation is disconcerting. I urge the rest of the Senate to consider the safety of their constituents and reject this reckless piece of legislation.”