Indiana Governor Signs 'Right To Resist' Law

Indiana's Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed a law giving citizens the right to resist unlawful police actions and causing alarm among law enforcement officers.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. CC_Flickr: pjernIndiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. CC_Flickr: pjern

Indiana's Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed a law giving citizens the right to resist unlawful police actions and causing alarm among law enforcement officers.

Gov. Daniels on Tuesday signed into law Senate Bill 1, which allows people to resist if they reasonably think police are illegally entering their home or vehicle and force is the only way to protect themselves or someone else from harm. The law doesn't apply to citizens who act as the aggressor or commit a crime, and the citizen must first try to cool things down by withdrawing from the encounter with the police.

Indiana law enforcement officers have said the bill could be used as an excuse by criminals to target police. Gov. Daniels said he believes the law helps law enforcement.

"This law is not an invitation to use violence or force against law enforcement officers. In fact, it restricts when an individual can use force, specifically deadly force, so don't try anything," Gov. Daniels told the Indianapolis Star.

Related:

Ind. Bill On Resisting Police Moves Forward

Ind. Bill Could Bring Open Season on Cops

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