Arkansas lawmakers give final OK to 'Stand Your Ground' bill

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation loosening the state's restrictions on using lethal force in self defense, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The House voted 72-23 for the bill, which removes the state's duty to retreat before using deadly force. The Senate approved the bill last month.

A similar measure stalled in the Legislature two years ago, but the bill this year moved more easily after groups such as the state's sheriffs' and prosecutors' associations that previously opposed it said they're neutral to the latest version. Hutchinson said he'll decide next week whether to sign the measure, though he's previously expressed reservations about changing the state's self-defense law.

The bill won approval despite several Black lawmakers urging colleagues to vote the measure down, saying it would lead to more violence against people of color.

Read more: https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2021/feb/25/arkansas-lawmakers-give-final-ok-stand-your-ground-bill/861323/