Stand your ground law
MARIKA LORRAINE REPORTING
OKLAHOMA CITY -- We've brought you the stories lately. One woman working in her garage, at night, confronted with an intruder. Heather Fitzgerald fired her gun at the man who then ran away.
Then there's the showdown at an Oklahoma City pharmacy. The suspect killed during an attempted robbery.
In both instances many believe the shootings were justified based on the stand your ground law.
Oklahoma Rifle Association director Charles Smith says, "It's a split second decision and I think most rational people are very hesitant to ever use deadly force. However there are situations where you see no other recourse for you."
That notion is why, in 2006, the stand your ground law went into effect. It adds on to the old make my day law. It basically states if you are in your home, car, or business and are confronted with a reasonable fear of deadly force, you don't have to retreat.
You can use deadly force to protect yourself. Other parts of the law protect people from civil suits if police justified the shooting.
And it's important to note, in Oklahoma you only need a permit to carry a weapon in public. Just having a gun on your private property does not require a permit.
MARIKA LORRAINE REPORTING
OKLAHOMA CITY -- We've brought you the stories lately. One woman working in her garage, at night, confronted with an intruder. Heather Fitzgerald fired her gun at the man who then ran away.
Then there's the showdown at an Oklahoma City pharmacy. The suspect killed during an attempted robbery.
In both instances many believe the shootings were justified based on the stand your ground law.
Oklahoma Rifle Association director Charles Smith says, "It's a split second decision and I think most rational people are very hesitant to ever use deadly force. However there are situations where you see no other recourse for you."
That notion is why, in 2006, the stand your ground law went into effect. It adds on to the old make my day law. It basically states if you are in your home, car, or business and are confronted with a reasonable fear of deadly force, you don't have to retreat.
You can use deadly force to protect yourself. Other parts of the law protect people from civil suits if police justified the shooting.
And it's important to note, in Oklahoma you only need a permit to carry a weapon in public. Just having a gun on your private property does not require a permit.
