Apple Valley Legislators Vote in Favor of 'Deadly Force' Bill

The Minnesota House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would allow deadly force to be used in self defense in more circumstances than state law currently allows. The approval sent the bill to Gov. Mark Dayton.

Reps. Kurt Bills (R-District 37B), Rosemount, and Tara Mack (R-District 37A), Apple Valley, are two authors of HF1467, which was introduced last session and considers people's rights to protect themselves on their property.

Minnesota law already allows people to use "deadly force" against someone who is committing a felony in their home, according to a Reuters report. The law the Legislature is proposing adds to the definition of "dwelling" in the law, to include, for example, porches, yards, cars and tents, the article says.

The bill also allows people who have a permit to carry in another state to carry while visiting Minnesota. Read more about the bill, including which groups oppose and favor it, from Reuters.

The House voted 85-47 in favor of the bill on Wednesday; Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-District 37), Apple Valley, also voted in favor of the Senate version of the bill in its 40-23 vote.

Mack said last session when the bill was introduced that she had heard from a lot of constituents on the issue. Similar bills have been proposed in past years, but haven't moved forward, she said.

Also at the Capitol...

These are just a few of the issues with which Apple Valley's legislators have been recently involved in St. Paul.

Other bills introduced last week

• Gerlach is chief author of two Senate bills introduced last week related to liquor sales. SF2087 would allow an off-sale license for establishments to fill growler beer bottles at the tap for customers. SF2186 would allow licensed liquor sellers to temporarily purchase alcohol without a buyers card. Both bills have been referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee. Gerlach is also an author of a bill (SF1998) to modify a tax credit qualification for brewers.

• Bills is chief author of a bill (HF2502) to make gold and silver coins legal tender in Minnesota. It has been referred to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform committee.

Action on bills previously introduced

• Mack presented to the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance committee the bill HF2410, which proposes $20 million in funding for capital improvements, preservation and master plan. "The zoo is an important asset to Apple Valley and surrounding communities," Mack wrote to constituents. "I think it is important to preserve and enhance interesting, new exhibits so the Minnesota Zoo can be enjoyed by all."