Italian President Sergio
Mattarella on Friday promulgated a law expanding the right to
legitimate self defence, his office said.
He noted in a letter accompanying the promulgation that the
new law does not change the State's responsibility to protect
its citizens.
"It should first and foremost be underscored that the new
regulations neither weaken nor attenuate the primary and
exclusive responsibility of the State in protecting the security
of citizens, exercised and ensured by the generous and effective
actions of police forces," the letter read.
The Senate had given final approval to the law in March.
The bill expanding the right to self-defence from intruders,
fashioned by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, introduces norms
similar to US 'stand your ground' laws.
Among the new factors to be weighed in self-defence cases
there is the concept of "serious emotional disturbance" in the
face of intruders, which would legitimise even deadly self
defence.
Magistrates union ANM said the package might be
unconstitutional.
Italy's association of penal lawyers also came out against
the new law, calling it "useless and dangerous".
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