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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 11, 2013 04:34 PM
From:	Representative Ronald G. Waters
To:	All House members
Subject:	Castle Doctrine

In the near future, I plan to re-introduce House Bill 2725 of the 2011-2012 Legislative Session, which will amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to further limit the circumstances in which the use of force is permissible. I believe that the value of a human life is greater than any possession, and the use of force should only be used in extreme circumstances. As state representatives, it is our duty to provide the residents of this Commonwealth with the security and protection they desire. However, such safety should not be provided at the expense of another individual’s life, as it currently is by the established provisions of the Castle Doctrine. My legislation will address this issue by prohibiting individuals from using force for the protection of property, an individual, or one’s own well-being, if the person is either able to retreat or instructed by peace officers or public safety dispatchers not to pursue the suspect. If enacted, this legislation could decrease number of unnecessary deaths and injuries in this Commonwealth, including injuries inflicted on crime victims that attempt to engage in a confrontation with an offender. If you have any questions regarding this legislation to assist in curbing the number of unnecessary deaths and injuries of residents of this Commonwealth, please contact Germaine Brown via email gbrown@pahouse.net or at 717-772-6955.

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