Greetings,
I want to draw your attention to Senate Bill 1, which passed out of committee on Tuesday January 17, 2012. If passed by the Indiana Legislature, this bill (in my opinion) could have disastrous effects on the safety of police officers all over our state. The State FOP provided a study committee their view point in October 2011, but it apparently fell on deaf ears. The puzzling thing is you will recognize many of the sponsor’s names as supporters of Law Enforcement who have been endorsed in the past by the FOP both locally and state wide.
The summary of the bill provides a “right to defend against unlawful entry by police.” Further, it permits “a person the right to resist the unlawful entry into a dwelling by a law enforcement officer under certain conditions.”
The quoted verbiage I took directly from the Senate Bill synopsis. The bill is apparently a counter to the “Barnes” decision by the Indiana Supreme Court last year, which caused some controversy among those who hold onto the “man’s house is his castle” doctrine, even though the Supreme Court specifically addressed that issue both times and advised that the ruling did nothing to harm that long held belief. The Barnes decision essentially said that there were legal remedies one could take against unlawful entry by law enforcement, but that a person could not use physical force to resist law enforcement. Admittedly I’m taking license in summarizing the Barnes decision, but my point is this, there are legal remedies to utilize if you feel you’ve been harmed. There ARE NO legal remedies if this law passes and someone feels that law enforcement does not have the right to do what they are doing and they use deadly force. We cannot bring an officer back to life.
For years we have preached the importance of PAC participation, and how important it is to elect our friends and defeat our enemies. You now have the ability to take part in the political process. No, we aren’t electing anyone now, but you have the opportunity to make your voice heard as this bill goes for a 2nd reading and then on to the House. I will provide you with the sponsors of this bill. Unfortunately, I could not locate an easy way to email the legislators as you have to contact them individually on the Indiana State website. I would encourage you to write as many as you can to PROFESSIONALLY voice your concern for the safety of L.E. all over the state if this bill is passed. You can also begin to contact the State Representatives as they will likely be hearing this bill next week. THIS BILL SHOULD SCARE YOU TO ACTION!
The following State Senators have sponsored this bill:
R.Michael Young; Ed Charbonneau; Brent Steele; Scott Schneider; John M. Waterman; Brandt Hershman; Sue Landske; James W. Merritt, Jr; Ryan D. Mishler; Jean Leising; Doug Eckerty; Vaneta Becker; Patricia L. Miller; Johnny Nugent; Connie Lawson; Ron Alting; Greg Walker; Ron Grooms; Dennis K. Kruse; Brent Waltz; Mike Delph; Phil Boots; Carlin Yoder; Jim Banks; Jim Tomes; Susan Glick; Beverly J Gard; Allen E Paul; Thomas J. Wyss.
Let them know that this bill takes away legal safety protections for law enforcement all over the state. Let them know that they are, by it’s passage, making it a deadly threat to law enforcement every time a warrant is served or you have ANY reason to encounter someone in a confrontational manner on their property.
Fraternally,
Bill Owensby
