Governor vetoes bill to expand use of deadly force By Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. - Flanked by more than 40 police officers and prosecutors, Gov. John Lynch vetoed legislation Friday that would have made it easier for people to use deadly force in public places.
Current law requires people to retreat from violence in public if it's safe to do so. There are some exceptions _ for example, to prevent kidnapping or rape. There is no requirement to retreat if someone enters a home illegally.
Law enforcement officials said they were afraid innocent bystanders would be hurt if people were given more freedom to use guns or other deadly weapons in public.
Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said the bill also would have given criminals more legal protections. For example, she said, a drug dealer could claim self-defense if he shot at another drug dealer who was trying to rob him but accidentally killed someone else.
CONCORD, N.H. - Flanked by more than 40 police officers and prosecutors, Gov. John Lynch vetoed legislation Friday that would have made it easier for people to use deadly force in public places.
Current law requires people to retreat from violence in public if it's safe to do so. There are some exceptions _ for example, to prevent kidnapping or rape. There is no requirement to retreat if someone enters a home illegally.
Law enforcement officials said they were afraid innocent bystanders would be hurt if people were given more freedom to use guns or other deadly weapons in public.
Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said the bill also would have given criminals more legal protections. For example, she said, a drug dealer could claim self-defense if he shot at another drug dealer who was trying to rob him but accidentally killed someone else.