Associations for prosecuting attorneys, police chiefs oppose "Make Murder Legal Act"

(From the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys)

Dan Patterson, President of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and Greene County Prosecuting Attorney, issued the following statement on Senate Bill 666 and the companion House Bill 2118 regarding self-defense laws: 

As we near the end of this legislative session, Missouri's prosecutors and police chiefs urge the General Assembly not to pass House Bill 2118 or Senate Bill 666 that would twist our current self-defense laws in the State into providing absolute immunity for many murderers. 

Missouri’s self-defense laws are amongst the strongest in America. These bills do not strengthen second amendment rights but would severely hamper the investigation and prosecution of murders of innocent victims. These bills make it less safe for Missourians to walk down our streets.

Some have called the bill the 'Make Murder Legal Act,' because that is exactly what it would do. The bill would prohibit police from detaining any murderer who shouted “self-defense” and would grant violent killers absolute immunity for their crimes. 

These bills add no protection for those who would seek to engage in legitimate self-defense or exercise Second Amendment rights, especially since Missouri already has one of the nation’s most expansive “stand your ground” laws. 

The bills do put law-abiding citizens at the mercy of criminals who can kill with impunity by shouting “self-defense” like a child on the playground shouting “OLLIE OLLIE ALL IN FREE!” 

Violent crime continues to increase significantly across the United States. We must not make it easier for gang members, robbers, thieves, drug dealers, domestic abusers, school shooters, and other violent criminals to prey on innocent Missourians. 

We look forward to working with legislators like Senator Eslinger on SB 1134, by extending stand your ground to employees in the workplace, to continue to protect lawful gun ownership, and give police and prosecutors the tools they need to keep our communities safe. But we will oppose any legislation endangering the safety of law-abiding citizens and giving criminals a “GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

The Missouri Police Chiefs Association concurs with this statement.