S-1653.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5917

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators McCaslin, Schow, Oke and Hochstatter

Read first time 02/19/97.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Authorizing the use of deadly force against intruders.

    AN ACT Relating to the use of physical force against intruders; adding a new section to chapter 9A.16 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature recognizes that the citizens of the state of Washington have a right to expect absolute safety within their own homes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 9A.16 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Notwithstanding RCW 9A.16.020 and 9A.16.050, an occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force within the dwelling, including deadly physical force, against another person when:

    (a) That other person has made an unlawful entry into the dwelling;

    (b) The occupant has reason to believe that the other person has committed a crime in the dwelling in addition to the uninvited entry, or is committing or intends to commit a crime against a person or property in addition to the uninvited entry; and

    (c) The occupant has reason to believe that the other person might use physical force against any occupant.

    (2) An occupant of a dwelling using physical force, including deadly physical force, in accordance with subsection (1) of this section is immune from criminal prosecution for the use of such force.

    (3) An occupant of a dwelling using physical force, including deadly physical force, in accordance with subsection (1) of this section is immune from civil liability for injuries or death resulting from the use of such force.

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