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.” BloombergIndiana is the first U.S. state to specifically allow force against officers, according to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in Washington, which represents and supports prosecutors. The National Rifle Association pushed for the law, saying an unfavorable court decision made the need clear and that it would allow homeowners to defend themselves during a violent, unjustified attack. Police lobbied against it. BloombergThe NRA has systematically manipulated Congress and many State Legislatures into adopting dangerous gun policies, allowing virtually unrestricted and undetectable access to powerful firearms by criminals including gang members, convicted felons and terrorists. Huffington Post
The NRA successfully lobbied for Florida's stand-your-ground law in 2005, the same shoot-first provision that was invoked by Trayvon Martin's killer, George Zimmerman. Working with Alec, the NRA has encouraged the passage of similar legislation in 24 other states. Guardian
The measure was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Governor Mitch Daniels in March. It amended a 2006 so-called Castle Doctrine bill that allows deadly force to stop illegal entry into a home or car. Bloomberg
The law describes the ability to use force to “protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force.” Bloomberg Police tactical officers stormed into an office building in Valparaiso, Ind., late Friday afternoon shortly after a gunman released the last of his several hostages. The man shot himself twice in the head and died later at a hospital, police said.Two gunshots were heard, and tactical officers ran into the building through a shattered window. An ambulance then drove up to the building, and a cheer went up from the crowd gathered outside as someone — presumably the gunman — was brought out on a stetcher.
Valparaiso police said the gunman, later identified as Roy Ferguson, was taken from the scene with critical injuries. He died about two hours later, police said.It was a quick resolution to a tense situation that had played out slowly for much of the day. The gunman had incrementally released his hostages over six hours before freeing his final two captives late in the afternoon.Neither of the last two hostages was injured, authorities said. Earlier, a woman was freed and was treated at a hospital for a blunt force head wound, and a second woman was driven away in an ambulance after walking free. Valparaiso police Sgt. Mike Grennes said the woman with the head injury may have been struck by the gunman.A new law in Indiana has upset some law enforcement officers. Signed into action by Republican governor Mitch Daniels in March, the law allows residents to use deadly force against those unlawfully entering their homes, including police officers.
Indiana is the first state to take this stance, one that has been pushed by the National Rifle Association. The law enforcement of the state are, of course, very displeased with this decision, claiming it will be misinterpreted and open the door to blanket justifications for attacking officers.
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