The Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after the Oklahoma House Public Safety Committee voted to advance HB 3165, which would expand Oklahoma’s Stand Your Ground law:
“It’s bad enough that Oklahoma even has Stand Your Ground on the books,” said Kay Malan, volunteer leader with the Oklahoma Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “At least 30 people are killed every month nationwide because of Stand Your Ground laws, and an expansion of this harmful law will only make Oklahoma less safe for everyone — especially people of color.”
HB 3165 would require prosecutors to bear the burden of proving that a Stand Your Ground defense does not apply at a hearing before the case even goes to trial — effectively forcing prosecutors to prove their case twice. More information about Stand Your Ground laws is available here.
