House OKs expanding deadly force right

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The House endorsed legislation Wednesday expanding the right of Missourians to use deadly force against anyone trying to unlawfully enter their homes or vehicles.

"Let's let the criminals wonder whether this will be their last crime," Rep. Curt Dougherty, D-Independence, said during debate on the bill. "I say to the criminals: 'Do you feel lucky, punk?"'

The rhetoric was equally passionate from opponents.

"It sort of motivates a person to be a little more itchy fingered," Rep. John Bowman, D-St. Louis, said while discussing the bill with another lawmaker.

The bill would remove the need for residents using deadly force to have a reasonable belief of impending harm or burglary when a person "unlawfully enters" their dwelling or vehicle, or tries to do so.

The legislation needs a final House vote before moving to the Senate.