Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Pennsylvania lawyers are mulling over the implications of a bill signed into law by Governor Tom Corbett. The "Castle Doctrine" bill expands a person's right to use deadly force to certain places outside their home, and no longer requires people to retreat as a way to avoid a lethal confrontation.
Attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. is satisfied with the change in the law.
Attorney Joshua Prince practices firearms law for a firm headquartered in Berks County. He says the firm has represented people who probably would not have been sued if this law were in place. Or at least, he thinks those suits might have been finished much earlier. Prince wants Pennsylvania to expand the law even more.
"In Texas and Florida if someone breaks into your house, steals your TV, and is running out the door and let's even say out on the front lawn running away, you have a right to shoot and kill that person," said Prince.