CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's police chiefs and sheriffs are urging Gov. John Lynch to veto a bill that expands the state's deadly force law to allow people to kill in self-defense anyplace they have a right to be.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's police chiefs and sheriffs are urging Gov. John Lynch to veto a bill that expands the state's deadly force law to allow people to kill in self-defense anyplace they have a right to be.



The current law allows people to use deadly force in self-defense in their homes without being required to retreat. They can use deadly force in public to defend themselves or others if they can't safely retreat.



The New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association told Lynch that the use of deadly force in self-defense should be justified under the law only when there is no reasonable alternative.



They pointed out that if a person is charged with a crime and claims self-defense, the state must disprove the claim.