Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's House of Representatives has approved changes to the state's stand-your-ground self-defense law making it clear that people don't need to try to run away before using force, including deadly force, against someone.
Republican Rep. Cory Maloy's proposal says a person doesn't need to back away before using force even if they have a safe way to escape. If someone is prosecuted for using force, Maloy's bill won't allow a court to hear evidence about whether the person tried to flee first.
At least 22 states have stand-your-ground laws. They've have been scrutinized after high-profile shooting deaths like that of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Democrats voting against Utah's bill say they worry about any extra leeway for someone to use force against a perceived threat, citing the racial biases that minorities can face in communities.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
