Local Sheriff among many speaking out against AB 1333 which would limit legal self-defense
RED BLUFF, Calif. – Assembly Bill 1333 was introduced last week by assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur from Los Angeles. The bill would place restrictions on self-defense rights in California, including the rights of people to protect their homes.
Many law enforcement officials around the state have come out criticizing the proposed legislation, including Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain, who tells Action News Now, “We are swinging so far outside the realm of what is reasonable by telling people now that under certain circumstances, they can’t protect themselves in their own home against a criminal element is probably one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of.”
Current state law (Penal code 198.5 pc), known as the “Castle Doctrine” states that homicide is justifiable when committed in defense of habitation, property, or person. The bill would instead require people to retreat from threats.
Sheriff Kain says that current laws are sufficient and that there is already a procedure in place with the District Attorney’s office to determine whether or not a person has committed a justified homicide.
Not everyone is against the bill with some gun control groups coming out in favor of the bill, however, the substantial public backlash has prompted Zbur to make a response where he promised to amend the bill stating, “The goal is to prevent wannabe vigilantes like kyle rittenhouse from provoking violence and claiming self-defense after the fact. We will amend the bill to make this crystal clear.”
Any amendment, according to Sheriff Kain, is likely to be irrelevant saying, “I don’t know how you could modify it that would make it any other way than the way that I read it, which is that we are trying to make it illegal to defend yourself in your own home.” Kain says he and California’s 57 other Sheriffs will be discussing this at their next meeting.
