Pennsylvania governor demands you ‘run away’ from attackers on the street

Even though the Pennsylvania state legislature overwhelmingly extended the state’s Castle Doctrine outside of a persons home or workplace, lame-duck Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) vetoed the bill yesterday. He thinks if you or your family are attacked on the street, you have a duty to retreat and have no right to stand your ground and protect yourself.

Guess what? Criminals don’t think you have the right to retreat when they are attacking you. It’s not in the interest of rapists, murderers or robbers to allow you to retreat. From Investor’s Business Daily.

The bill [vetoed by Rendell] would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker not only in their homes but also any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be.

It is clearly stated that there would be no “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to “stand their ground” outside the home to protect themselves and their family.

There are 18 states with a Castle Doctrine law, one state with Stand Your Ground, and 12 states with both. In total, there are 31 States with some form of Castle Doctrine and/or Stand Your Ground.

Gov. Rendell wants Pennsylvania to remain what we would call a “run and hide” state.

Yeah … run and hide. Call 911. Call for help. Tell a parent or teacher about the big, bad bully.

Words can not express how stupid this is.

Note, this is not a law concerning just the use of firearms. As I understand it, even if you used any type of force – up to and including deadly force – to protect yourself or your family from a criminal, you may not be protected by the law if someone, somewhere, who was not at the scene, feels as though you could have successfully ran away from the attacker … who most likely has been in the process of turning his life around.

Again, let’s make this perfectly clear. If running away from crime worked, crime statistics would be pretty good and criminals would have a tough time making an illegal living.

The incoming governor, Republican Tom Corbett, indicated he would have signed the bill, which makes Rendell look like an even bigger idiot. Now, the citizens of Pennsylvania will need to wait for new legislation to move through the process before it becomes law.

It could easily take six months, but it seems almost guaranteed to pass. In the meantime – while in Pennsylvania outside your home – just ensure you are absolutely certain you can not successfully run away from that criminal before you take action to protect yourself or your loved ones.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

10 Comments

  1. winnie888 on December 1, 2010 at 1:05 am

    "RUN, FORREST…RUUUUUN!"

    PA's outgoing governor (seemingly) wanted to give the bird to his constituents.  I don't understand what could possibly have been the logic behind vetoing this bill.  Here's a logical question:  What about a handicapped individual (i.e. wheelchair bound) who is assaulted?  Are they supposed to roll for their lives?  This is just stupid.



  2. TomL on December 1, 2010 at 1:24 am

    IDIOT



  3. Lynn on December 1, 2010 at 2:29 am

    Wimp



  4. Plainvillian on December 1, 2010 at 3:48 am

    Clever policy.  This will keep Philadelphia the crime ridden city it is.  It will cause more crime.  That means more cops and EMTs – public employees.  More public defender lawyers, etc.  All will vote demorat.

    Meanwhile, out in the country, where real people live, they have guns, know how to use them, and don't rely on running for safety.  Much of Pennsylvania is very rural – and safe.  This may be why Pennsylvania turned out their left wingnuts.  Corrupticut, on the other hand….. .



  5. Gary J on December 1, 2010 at 4:16 am

    Well heck don't criminals get rights too? They have the right to hurt you if necessary to rob you or for that matter just for the sake of pain. At least they are upholding the right to "run" for us …………………….Sad so sad



  6. Dimsdale on December 1, 2010 at 6:10 am

    Isn't this how British citizens were emasculated, to the point that if you attack the invader/attacker, the police take the side of the criminal?

     

    Just because Rendell would run away screaming like a little girl doesn't mean he has to enforce his Nancy-pants outlook on everyone else.  It is just another attempt to make us more dependent on big government.



  7. RoBrDona on December 1, 2010 at 11:17 am

    Everyone is a victim to the progressives. Now it seems that no one is safe from this complertely fabricated touchy feelie social engineering garbage. Sit your a** down and act like a jellyfish (even better, tattle on your neighbor) and they love you. Stand up for your family, your personal rights and beliefs, even your life, and they treat you like gum on their shoe.    



  8. Dimsdale on December 1, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    The attempt at creating the liberal utopia of a "risk free society" does little but increase the risk of harm for everyone.



  9. Wayne SW on December 1, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    I plan to run after I check their pulse and pick up the dispensed shell casings from an emptied clip.



  10. JollyRoger on December 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    To me, this law means that it's best to let your wife do the shooting!  Mass wasn't on her side, I was in the shower, and what is a woman to do?



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