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For Immediate Release
April 21, 2009
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Alloway Introduces Legislation to Expand Self-Defense Law 

HARRISBURG – Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) introduced legislation today that would establish the Castle Doctrine in Pennsylvania to protect gun owners who act in self-defense. 

Alloway’s bill would remove the "duty to retreat" clause when an individual is threatened by an attacker in any place that individual has a right to be, including the individual’s home or vehicle. The bill would provide important protections against criminal prosecution or civil litigation for those who act to defend themselves, Alloway said. 

"Gun owners should not be subject to fear of prosecution or legal action for acting responsibly in defense of themselves or others," Alloway said. "My bill would ensure that gun owners will have the right to act in response to serious threats from criminals." 

Under Alloway’s bill, an individual would need to demonstrate a reasonable belief that he or she was in imminent danger in order to use lethal force. 

Twenty-three states have established the Castle Doctrine, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. 

Alloway announced his legislation during today’s Fourth Annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally at the State Capitol.