You Show Me Yours I'll Show You Mine

HB 160 went into the New Hampshire House as an effort to institute Castle doctrine.  Castle doctrine is this throw back idea that if someone poses a reasonable threat to you and yours, and that you have every reason to believe they mean you harm, you can defend yourself.  Traditionally applied, the castle is your home,  but it can also be reasonably applied to your person and possessions wherever they may be from imminent threat or harm depending on the law and how it is applied if your state happens to have one.  Ours does not.  And it still does not.

What came out of the House, if you'll pardon my colloquialism, has no balls.

At this point it is is now the "look what I have" doctrine, which allows you--in situations of to display your firearm--ah, here's the actual text.

A person who responds to a threat which would be considered by a reasonable person as likely to cause serious bodily injury or death to the person or to another by displaying a firearm or other means of self-defense with the intent to warn away the person making the threat shall not have committed a criminal act under this section.

"Hey buddy. I've got a gun, and I'm not afraid to show it to you."

Now this may work, but if said agressor has an astigmatism, (for example) this law does not necessarily afford you the right to shoot them should they become physically threatening despite your "obvious display of firepower."

You might have to run away, waving your threatening gun of course, to avoid running afoul of the law.  Circumstances will vary.

Seems kind of pointless really.  And I understand that this was done to get Hypocrats to vote for it.  But some things are better left for dead.  Feel free to decide for yourselves.  The bill passed the House and is now moving to the Senate.

Comments

[Harold Brown]

Better to be judged by twelve, than carried by six.

[Steve Mac Donald]

Ayup!