On February 2, 2021, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 199 authored by Sen. M. Young and Sen. Garten regarding self-defense. The bill specifies that “reasonable force” includes the pointing of a loaded or unloaded firearm for purposes of self-defense and arrest statutes.
The bill was amended by consent to clarify that pointing a firearm is not reasonable force for purposes of self-defense against a public servant.
The 2A Project and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition. The bill was held for further amendment.
On February 9, 2021, the bill was amended to permit a fixed place of business to use reasonable force including the pointing of a loaded firearm to prevent or terminate the other person’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, fixed place of business, motor vehicle, or aircraft in flight. The bill was also amended to remove the language clarifying that pointing a firearm is not reasonable force for purposes of self-defense against a public servant.
The amended bill was passed 5-2
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/199