MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama Senate has delayed a vote on a proposed revision of the state’s self-defense law to clarify that deadly force can be used to defend someone in a church.
Senators delayed a Thursday vote after at least one senator threatened a filibuster.
Sen. Bobby Singleton said that the legislation is encouraging people to get “trigger happy.”
Alabama already has a self-defense law that someone can use deadly force if they reasonably believe a person is about to kill them or another person. The bill adds that people can use deadly force if they believe a person is about to use physical force against a church member or employee.
Supporters pointed to deadly church shootings and said members need the legal protection to respond to a threat.
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