Indiana law lets citizens shoot at police

Indiana law lets citizens shoot at police

www.sfgate.com

Indiana is the first U.S. state to specifically allow force against officers, according to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in Washington, which represents and supports prosecutors. The National Rifle Association pushed for the law, saying an unfavorable court decision made the need clear and that it would allow homeowners to defend themselves during a violent, unjustified attack. Police lobbied against it.

The measure amends the 2006 so-called Castle Doctrine bill that allows deadly force to stop illegal entry into a home or car.

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It's not clear under the law whether an officer acting in good faith could be legally shot for mistakenly kicking down the wrong door to serve a warrant, said state Sen. Tim Lanane, the assistant Democratic leader and an attorney.

Yeah, but it is clear what happens when officers do make a mistake and go to the wrong address, or mistakenly (or intentionally), use excessive force: Innocent people get shot and sometimes killed, animals get shot, and property gets torn up. And what recourse do the innocent have?

Hell, if it was just excessive force, you could almost understand. But they got rid of that notion long ago. Now it is "overwhelming force."

I am in agreement with this law, because at least it will force law enforcement to be extra careful that they've got the right place before they breach enter a property. And what the heck are they whining about anyway? They're fulled armored to the hilt, they have overwhelming numbers, and enter with full training. Compare that to the average person that has no clue of what is about to happen. The odds are so stacked in their favor from the onset, they got no room to bitch.

www.sfgate.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

As far as the mistaken addresses go, the police are just going to have to be DAMN WELL SURE THEY ARE AT THE RIGHT DAMN HOUSE, before breaking in and shooting anything that moves.

It looks good on paper, more responsibility and accountability on the police side of things.

Finally!

It's about time the people gained a little bit of power back in order to protect themselves and their property.

So now the cops just have to knock on the door like everyone else... Either that or phone first before dropping by unannounced. Just like an annoying relative...

Peace

reply to post by TrueAmerican


Good find, s&f

Seems like this law is to force police departments to follow their own procedures properly, do their due diligence and be held accountable for wrongful actions, such as violating personal rights when the execute a search warrant at the wrong house. The fear that they could be fired upon by a citizen should smarten them up and make sure they do all they can to ensure procedures are followed correctly, otherwise they may end up getting shot!

My concern would be, if an incident happened and someone shot at or injured/killed a cop while they were executing a warrant in the wrong place, how would they be treated by police afterwards!? Scary thought! Thx again!

Sounds good. Just 49 states to go. Anything to make the storm troopers think twice or even three times, is a good thing.

Even if they have the proper house, how does the resident know they are there to serve a warrant? I coyuld this being used even if the right house is targeted. You do not need to knock down doors to serve a warrant.

This is good. This is really really good. I am in Ventura county California right now, and this is so great I am considering moving to Indiana.



And there should be door signs. Maybe a reprint or synopsis of the law, something you can put up on your door by the "solicitors will be shot sign" to remind the cops to double check the address.



This is so great. Looking at Monster right now for a job to transfer to Indiana...



Cops storm wrong house (armed fed judge, oops)

Personally it seems like the neighbor was trying to start a gun fight between a judge and the police department. The caller called both the police and the resident. Getting them both alert and armed. This goes to show you at any given time in this country almost no matter who you are. You could be looking down the barrel of a police officers gun and be completely innocent. This happen last week the lady wasn't a judge and they shot her dog. There was an ATS thread about it. I suggest reading the article.

www.nbcmiami.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Thank God! Finally some good news!

More Laws like this are exactly what this country needs to put these thugs back in there place as public servants. Maybe this will motivate them to actually do their jobs correctly and act with a bit of professionalism. Cops are supposed to protect and serve...

Riddle me this: when was the last time you saw a cop and felt safer because of it? Most people's minds just race with wondering if they are doing anything to warrant harassment by the officer. An God forbid if you are in a bad mood and don't respond with the proper "respect".

I dont know this for a fact, but I am pretty sure that Indiana is not the only state that allows this. I have also read multiple stories where deadly force against cops was justified as self-defense.

I almost posted about this when I originally heard the news.

Indiana is where I live and is my home state. I must say that this is one of the things that Mitch Daniels got right. He has done a few great things for our state.

It's quite odd though, as I've always considered him part of the establishment.

S&F

Originally posted by Vardoger
As far as the mistaken addresses go, the police are just going to have to be DAMN WELL SURE THEY ARE AT THE RIGHT DAMN HOUSE, before breaking in and shooting anything that moves.

It looks good on paper, more responsibility and accountability on the police side of things.

Wouldn't you think that they would do some investigating ahead of time?
Shouldn't they have gathered evidence to warrant this kind of attack?
It's not like the people living there are going to just up and leave town.

I am very glad to hear this news! These police need to be taken down a peg or ten. God forbid they obey the laws they are suppose to uphold....

Originally posted by Vardoger
As far as the mistaken addresses go, the police are just going to have to be DAMN WELL SURE THEY ARE AT THE RIGHT DAMN HOUSE, before breaking in and shooting anything that moves.

It looks good on paper, more responsibility and accountability on the police side of things.

I see a down side where everyone is going to shoot at the police, saying "I didn't know they were after me!"

Originally posted by jiggerj

Originally posted by Vardoger
As far as the mistaken addresses go, the police are just going to have to be DAMN WELL SURE THEY ARE AT THE RIGHT DAMN HOUSE, before breaking in and shooting anything that moves.

It looks good on paper, more responsibility and accountability on the police side of things.

I see a down side where everyone is going to shoot at the police, saying "I didn't know they were after me!"

I see an upside where people say, after their acquittal, "I'm sorry shot them, but there was no reason for them to burst into my home like Gestapo either."

I just hope that, knowing they are no longer immune, LEOS take more care when they pick a house to raid in the future. I read a story yesterday where a woman and her 8-year-old child were terrorized for over an hour after ATF agents burst into their Colorado home looking for a woman that hadn't lived there for a YEAR. She would have been totally justified if she had defended her home.

Being a Hoosier who has never had his door kicked in by the Police this is not a "good thing" in fact it is more dangerous:

1. because some person may think they are within their rights and just open fire on a cop and gets killed.
2. there might be a legitmate excuse to and a cop gets killed and the guy get's set up for murder 1.

Not doing the happy dance on this.

A lot of these problems could be avoided if they would rein in the use of these " no knock warrents" There was a story not to long ago about a family who's door was kicked in at mid-night over a child porn charge. As it turned out it was the neighbor piggy backing off there wireless modem. But how would you react to your door being busted open in the middle of the night? You have seconds to determine who it is and what there intentions are. Even if there screaming Police, Police, search warrent. In the dark and being stunned awake how do you know it is actually Police Officers? Not a home invasion group.

No knocks should be reserved for times when dealing with large, dangerous groups. Raiding a crack house, fine. One supposed pedophile who is in the house with a woman and two kids does not require 12 swat guys at midnight kicking in doors unannounced.

I know what is on my night stand and I know how to use it. I would hate to think I got killed are killed someone because they could not tell the difference between St. and Dr. on a warrent.

reply to post by David134


Word to the wise...

SET SECURITY ON YOUR WIRELESS MODEM!

Originally posted by David134
A lot of these problems could be avoided if they would rein in the use of these " no knock warrents" There was a story not to long ago..

Yeah, there were many stories. And I couldn't agree more. Now that the police forces have more than enough firepower to diffuse just about any situation, perhaps it's time to do a thorough review of where and when these "overwhelming force" raids are used. Perhaps they should require approval of the town mayor or even state Governor first.



"ahh, Mr. Juliani, we got a situation here, and..."

"I'm asleep, just kill them and cover it up...bye....Click..."

reply to post by TrueAmerican


Guessing they use no knock warrants because the bad guys do not answer the door.

No patience to wait them out.

But if they knock, and they have the wrong house, probably they will answer the door.

Good points...