Going to the Democratic Gov...
Expected to sign..It is an election year!! 
Legislature sends self-defense bills to Granholm
6/27/2006, 7:25 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state House signed off on legislation Tuesday aimed at fortifying and clarifying self-defense rights in Michigan.
The bills would allow people to use deadly force, with no duty to retreat, if they reasonably think they face imminent death, great bodily harm or sexual assault. They could use deadly force on their property or anywhere they have a legal right to be.
The legislation also would protect people from civil lawsuits if they have used force in self-defense.
The package, mostly approved on a 90-17 vote, now heads to Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is expected to sign it.
Critics have said the legislation is dangerous and not needed because prosecutors already don't charge a person who has justifiably used deadly force to protect themselves.
But a sponsor of one bill, Republican Rep. Leslie Mortimer of Horton, said the bills "put to rest any ambiguity regarding our protection against intruders."
One bill would require judges to award attorney fees to those who are sued when it's determined they had reasonably used force to act in self-defense.
Another bill would create a "rebuttable presumption" — a legal advantage that assumes, unless there's strong proof to the contrary, that people honestly and reasonably believe they face death, rape or great bodily harm when someone breaks into their home.
The presumption, however, would not apply in certain domestic violence situations, disputes involving the police, and if the person using force is breaking the law.
Supporters say the legislation is needed partly because current law requires people to first retreat, which supporters say puts them at a disadvantage.
Critics worry the legislation could spark a shoot-first, ask-questions-later mentality that ends with innocent people getting shot.
Democrats who voted against the bills were Marsha Cheeks of Detroit, Brenda Clack of Flint, Paul Condino of Southfield, George Cushingberry of Detroit, Morris Hood III of Detroit, Tupac Hunter of Detroit, Chris Kolb of Ann Arbor, Gabe Leland of Detroit, Alexander Lipsey of Kalamazoo, Bill McConico of Detroit, Andy Meisner of Ferndale, Michael Murphy of Lansing, Alma Wheeler Smith of Ypsilanti, Virgil Smith of Detroit, Steve Tobocman of Detroit, Aldo Vagnozzi of Farmington Hills and Mary Waters of Detroit.
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The self-defense bills are House Bills 5142-43, 5153 and 5548, and Senate Bills 1046 and 1185.
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On the Net:
Michigan Legislature:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/
