Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

April 21, 2011

The Pennsylvania legislature has approved a measure, House Bill 40, which would supposedly expand protection for the unalienable right to armed self-defense.

The bill recognizes that ?It is proper for law-abiding people to protect themselves, their families and others from intruders and attackers without fear of prosecution or civil action?.? It also provides that ?No person should be required to surrender his or her personal safety to a criminal, nor should a person be required to needlessly retreat in the face of intrusion or attack outside the person?s home or vehicle.?

The bill has been reflexively criticized by civilian disarmament advocates and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. However, it was passively supported by the police union -- a fact underscoring a critical flaw in the measure. The bill makes an explicit exception denying the right of armed self-defense against unlawful arrest and other criminal violence committed by police officers.

The central purpose of protecting the right to bear arms is self-defense against criminal actions by government officials, including police. The Pennsylvania measure effectively nullifies that indispensable right.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.