LITTLE ROCK (KFSM) - An Arkansas Representative filed a "Stand Your Ground" bill on Tuesday (Feb. 3), seeking to expand the ability to use deadly force in The Natural State.
Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro, filed the bill which, if passed, would change state laws on the use of deadly force during self-defense, according to the legislation.
Arkansas law does not allow the use of deadly force in self-defense if the person being attacked can retreat to safety, according to the bill. The exception to this is if a person is in their own home or on land immediately around their residence, the bill states.
If passed, Tosh's bill would remove limitations on where an individual could use deadly force, so long as the person engaged in self-defense believed their life was in imminent danger, another person was about to use unlawful deadly force or someone was about to commit a felony involving violence or force, the legislation states.
The bill also states a person who is justified in using deadly physical force in self defense is immune from civil action for the use of that deadly physical force.
To read the filed bill, click here.