# Some GOP Legislatures Seem To Be Legalizing Assault With A Deadly Weapon **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 21, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474 "2021-04-21T19:40:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/41 "2021-04-24T05:27:40Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I know there are a lot of emotions here, but where do some people get the idea that because it is a protest, people are allowed to obstruct traffic? I know there’s a lot of entitlement here, but where do some people get the idea that because traffic is obstructed, people are allowed to run other people over? See how fucking inane that sounds? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/42 "2021-04-24T05:31:47Z")
So far, all I have seen is reactions from newsites. Have we seen any of the actual laws? The cite I found doesnt not seem to back up what you are saying but since it _is_ the GOP, I wouldnt be shocked. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/43 "2021-04-24T06:40:19Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I don’t think the idea is that the GOP actually wants to see a body count build up, but rather, that it’s about deterrence. If protesters know that standing in the middle of the road means they can be run over at high speed without consequence, they will be much less likely to protest that way. Holy frick. You want it to be legal not just to run over protestors but to do so_at a high rate of speed_ and face no consequences? Yeah, that’ll learn 'em. 🙄 “Your honor, I hate the BLM (Proud Boys, Oath Keepers). I saw on the TV they were protesting down on Market Street, so I ran on down there to take out a few. No, wait, I mean I just happened to be there and was scared, real scared, so I gunned it.” “Your honor, I can’t get sued, right, just 'cause I saw a few Black people standing in the road and assumed they were rioters? I mean, sure, I killed three people, but how was I to know they were helping an old lady cross the street?” ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/44 "2021-04-24T16:48:24Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I think the scenario here is being surrounded by a mob, beating on your car and threatening you. That’s a scenario where current self defence laws should be applicable. > [@Velocity](#): > > If protesters know that standing in the middle of the road means they can be run over at high speed without consequence, they will be much less likely to protest that way. And if people know that I can shoot them for dumping their ashtrays out on the road, they would be much less likely to litter that way. We could empower lots of vigilante justice to deter people from breaking laws, is it just protests that we should allow the public to mete out the death penalty for, or should we open this up to any lawbreaking? Would counter protesters be allowed to police protests, and run down anyone who strays out into the road, even though they actually went out of their way to find themselves “blocked” by the protestor? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/45 "2021-04-24T19:39:11Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If protesters know that standing in the middle of the road means they can be run over at high speed without consequence, they will be much less likely to protest that way. Do I detect a note of sarcasm? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/46 "2021-04-25T04:15:48Z")
Unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/47 "2021-04-25T07:43:25Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Generally a motorist should not be able to mash the gas and knock me down like a bowling pin, but if I am standing there, with many people, obstructing their movement, at what point is it reasonable for the person to think that I might do them harm, especially if my peaceful protest has aspects of violence to it? I found this troubling. I get that being blocked from getting home (or to wherever) is inconvenient. It would suck and being pissed off is understandable. Do you think that rises to the level needed to run people over and either maim them badly (possibly for life) or kill them? I would submit it is never reasonable to run them over barring them attacking you. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/48 "2021-04-25T12:01:20Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I would submit it is never reasonable to run them over barring them attacking you. Radical idea!! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/49 "2021-04-25T13:16:54Z")
Difficult to know they intend to hurt the driver, far more difficult to prove it. However, in my house in this state, I don’t have to prove intended harm, I must only be in fear for my life or the lives of others. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/50 "2021-04-25T13:19:46Z")
That’s right! If you’re in fear for your life or the lives of others, you’re already covered by various stand-your-ground and self defense laws. We’re talking about something else here. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/51 "2021-04-25T13:59:10Z")
Right, so if there are uninvited protestors in your living room, blocking your route to the kitchen, then you can run them over with your car. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474/52 "2021-04-26T09:38:28Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > If you’re in fear for your life or the lives of others, you’re already covered by various stand-your-ground and self defense laws. “Your Honor, I’m a craven yellow-bellied coward and that’s why I shouldn’t be convicted for killing all those people.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gop-legislatures-seem-to-be-legalizing-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/940474.md?page=2)