By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Both the state Senate and the House have approved identical bills that would broaden the use of deadly force. Now, one of the chambers has to pass the other's bill to send it to Governor Bob Riley to become law. The bill further defines the circumstances in which Alabamians can kill someone who is a threat to personal safety or property. The current state law allows people to use deadly force if someone breaks into their home, but it also says deadly force should be avoided if possible. The new bills remove that language, but they do reiterate a person must feel threatened at the time they use it.