Castle Doctrine Legislation Makes Its Way to House

Legislation permitting Pennsylvania citizens to use deadly force when protecting property has been forced out of the House Appropriations Committee and will be considered by the House this week. The bill, sponsored by Republican Scott Perry, who represents parts of York and Cumberland Counties, would give citizens the right to use deadly force when faced with threats such as home invasion and burglary.

Ray Smith, spokesman for the House Republican Caucus, said that the bill "turns the advantage from the criminal to the law abiding citizen."

The Castle Doctrine Legislation was bogged down in the Appropriations Committee because Smith claims the Democratic Committee Chairman was holding it there. Representative Perry used the threat of filing a discharge petition to move the bill onto the House floor. Once on the House floor Smith expects the bill to receive bipartisan support.