HB472 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny CrawfordRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Limestone Co., churches, deadly physical force, use in self-defense or defense of others, const. amend.

Summary

A Limestone County constitutional amendment would let a person on church property use deadly force in self-defense or to defend others under specific conditions and grant immunity from criminal and civil liability if justified.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment would apply only in Limestone County and define key terms like church, deadly physical force, force, and premises. It would allow a person to use deadly force and be legally presumed justified if they reasonably believe someone on church premises is about to harm an employee, volunteer, member, or other authorized person while a crime involving death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping is being committed or attempted. The defender would have no duty to retreat and would be immune from criminal prosecution and civil liability unless the force used was unlawful. The bill also creates a pretrial immunity hearing; if immunity is proven by a preponderance of the evidence, charges are dismissed; if not, the case proceeds with the state bearing the burden at trial. Law enforcement may investigate under standard procedures but may not arrest unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

Who It Affects

• People on Limestone County church premises (employees, volunteers, members, or other persons authorized to be on the premises) who may use deadly force in self-defense or defense of others under the described conditions and receive immunity from prosecution and civil liability if justified.
• Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts in Limestone County, which would conduct immunity determinations via pretrial hearings and oversee the framework for arrests and prosecutions related to the use of force on church premises.

Key Provisions

• Applies only in Limestone County and defines key terms (Church, Deadly Physical Force, Force, Premises).
• Allows deadly force and creates a legal presumption of justification in self-defense or defense of others when the defender reasonably believes a person on church premises is about to commit certain crimes (death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping).
• No duty to retreat; the defender has the right to stand their ground if justified.
• Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for those using force as justified, with exceptions for unlawful force or violations of specific law.
• Pretrial immunity hearing required; the defendant must show immunity by a preponderance of the evidence; if proven, charges are dismissed.
• If immunity is not proven, the defendant may continue to defend the action at trial, with the state bearing the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Law enforcement may investigate using standard procedures but cannot arrest unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.
• The amendment would be presented to voters in a election with Yes/No choices on the ballot.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Churches