The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1284 on self-defense and the defense of others, sponsored by Sen. Tomes. The bill provides immunity for a justified use of force in certain instances and requires a court to award, in certain instances, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to a defendant when the justified use of force immunity is successfully raised. The following testified in support of the bill: a Second Amendment lawyer, a Rising Sun resident who used her firearm to defend a police officer from an attacker, a retired Indiana State Trooper/women’s self-defense instructor, a representative of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. The following testified against the bill: a representative of the Bose Public Affairs Group, a member of Moms Demand Action, and a member of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence.
The bill passed 7-3.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1284