2019 Bills

HB 243: Self-Defense for Domestic Violence Victims

This bill passed the House 58-16 and the Senate 20-6. 

Libertas Institute supports this bill

Staff review of this legislation finds that it is aligned with our principles and merits support.

Victims of domestic violence can obtain a protective order in an effort to stop more or potential abuse from occurring.

However, a court order doesn’t stop a future assault. Orders can be violated. Victims need additional protection to actually deter a future crime.

Enter House Bill 243, sponsored by Representative Sue Duckworth. This bill would allow a person who is issued a protective order to conceal carry a firearm for up to 120 days after the order was issued, without needing a concealed firearm permit.

In a moment of need, a victim isn’t able to go through all the steps required to obtain a concealed firearm permit. Further, complying with that process—taking a class, paying a fee, receiving a card in the mail—might alert the abuser and lead to an assault against the victim.

This law would allow a victim to discretely defend themselves in a meaningful way.