How can we help get Castle Doctrine?

Just moved from TN. I love Virginia gun laws.. but I hate that Virginia does not have castle doctrine. I see that Rep. Dickie Bell proposed it last year but says he will not be bringing it up again. I have called and emailed his office... but what else can we do. In TN you can use lethal force against anyone who has unlawfully entered your home. Any thoughts on how we can help? Rep.Bell says that the Zimmerman case has affected his thoughts on "stand your ground laws" but Castle Doctrine in your home is completely different than chasing down an unarmed teen. Anyone else concerned about this?


Jake

Welcome to the site Jake.

Castle Doctrine is alive and well as Common Law in Va.

We would like it to stay that way so it's important any legislation passed does not weaken what we already have.
The bill introduced last year would not have been a good one and in fact VCDL reversed their support of it.

This year there has been a Castle Doctrine bill filed that is even worse. Hopefully it will not go far.

This is a very detailed subject that has been debated in depth here. A search should bring up last years discussion.

peter nap said:

Welcome to the site Jake.

Castle Doctrine is alive and well as Common Law in Va.

We would like it to stay that way so it's important any legislation passed does not weaken what we already have.
The bill introduced last year would not have been a good one and in fact VCDL reversed their support of it.

This year there has been a Castle Doctrine bill filed that is even worse. Hopefully it will not go far.

This is a very detailed subject that has been debated in depth here. A search should bring up last years discussion.

Click to expand...

Have you read Dan's VCDL draft for a Castle Doctrine Law. It looks good and leaves in place the protections we have historically enjoyed here in Virginia.

SouthernBoy said:

Have you read Dan's VCDL draft for a Castle Doctrine Law. It looks good and leaves in place the protections we have historically enjoyed here in Virginia.

Click to expand...

I have read it and Dan's work is the single authority on the subject as far as I'm concerned.
Unfortunately I haven't seen it introduced this year.

Update

I received this email from Rep. Dickie Bell regarding Castle Doctrine

Jacob,

The bill has been re-introduced by another delegate. My decision not to handle it again had nothing to do with the Zimmerman case but a lot to do with gun groups not being able to come to consensus and lawyers' insistence on some points I could not agree with.

Thanks,
Delegate Bell