SENATE BILL NO. 1222 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-91.1, relating to self-defense and defense of others. ---------- Patron-- Puckett ---------- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-91.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-91.1. Use of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder; justified self-defense.

Any person who lawfully occupies a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including deadly physical force, against another person when the other person has unlawfully entered the dwelling, has committed an overt act toward the occupant or another person in the dwelling, and the occupant reasonably believes he or another person in the dwelling is in imminent danger of bodily harm.

Any lawful occupant of a dwelling who uses physical force, including deadly physical force, as provided in this section shall be immune from civil liability for injuries sustained by or the death of the person who has unlawfully entered the dwelling, resulting from the lawful occupant's use of such force against the person who unlawfully entered the dwelling.