JEFFERSON CITY – State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman is working with her colleagues in the House to strengthen the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Missourians. Coleman is co-sponsoring HB 2679, which is sponsored by state Rep. Curtis Trent, to expand Missouri’s Castle Doctrine.
Under the existing Castle Doctrine, Missourians may use physical force on another person if they believe force is necessary to defend themselves or another person and that unlawful force is imminent against them. The law states Missourians do not have a duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence, or vehicle. The bill Coleman is co-sponsoring would expand the existing Castle Doctrine to include place of employment. It would allow the use force at an individual’s place of employment if someone unlawfully enters.
“Business owners should have the right to defend their property without fear of being prosecuted. We have seen too many images of looters and rioters ransacking businesses while owners are afraid to defend what they have worked so hard to build. It’s time to create a strong deterrent for criminals by empowering business owners and their employees to protect their property,” said Coleman, R-Arnold.
Coleman added, “As someone who has worked diligently to protect and strengthen the Second Amendment rights of Missouri citizens, I am proud to co-sponsor this bill that stands up for law-abiding Missourians by giving them a legal right to defend their property.”
HB 2679 can be viewed online at https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2679&year=2022&code=R. The bill currently awaits assignment to committee for a public hearing.