Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands "stand your ground" laws.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an individual shall be justified in using deadly physical force upon another individual if they reasonably believe that the other individual is (Sec. 2):

• Committing or about to commit a felony involving physical force or violence;

• Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force; or

• Is imminently endangering the individual’s life or is imminently about to victimize the individual from the continuation of a pattern of domestic abuse.

• Specifies that an individual shall not be required to retreat before using deadly physical force if the individual (Sec. 2):

• Is lawfully present at the location where deadly physical force is used;

• Has reasonable belief that the individual that had the deadly physical force used against them is imminently threatening to cause death or serious physical injury to the individual or another;

• Is not the initial aggressor and has not provoked the individual that had the deadly physical force used against them;

• Is not committing a felony offense of possession of a firearm that was used to employ the deadly physical force;

• Is not engaged in criminal activity that gives reason for the use of deadly physical force at the time that deadly physical force is used; or

• Is not engaged in any activity in furtherance of a criminal gang, organization, or enterprise.

• Defines “domestic abuse” as the following, including (Sec. 2):

• Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault between family or household members; or

• Any sexual conduct between family or household members, whether minors or adults, that constitutes a crime under the laws of this state.

• Authorizes pregnant women to use deadly physical force in defense of her unborn child (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands "stand your ground" laws.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an individual shall be justified in using deadly physical force upon another individual if they reasonably believe that the other individual is (Sec. 2):

• Committing or about to commit a felony involving physical force or violence;

• Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force; or

• Is imminently endangering the individual’s life or is imminently about to victimize the individual from the continuation of a pattern of domestic abuse.

• Specifies that an individual shall not be required to retreat before using deadly physical force if the individual (Sec. 2):

• Is lawfully present at the location where deadly physical force is used;

• Has reasonable belief that the individual that had the deadly physical force used against them is imminently threatening to cause death or serious physical injury to the individual or another;

• Is not the initial aggressor and has not provoked the individual that had the deadly physical force used against them;

• Is not committing a felony offense of possession of a firearm that was used to employ the deadly physical force;

• Is not engaged in criminal activity that gives reason for the use of deadly physical force at the time that deadly physical force is used; or

• Is not engaged in any activity in furtherance of a criminal gang, organization, or enterprise.

• Defines “domestic abuse” as the following, including (Sec. 2):

• Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault between family or household members; or

• Any sexual conduct between family or household members, whether minors or adults, that constitutes a crime under the laws of this state.

• Authorizes pregnant women to use deadly physical force in defense of her unborn child (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text