A proposed law in California intended to limit the conditions under which lethal force could be used in self-defense has been withdrawn by its sponsor. Assemblymember Rich Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced on Wednesday that Assembly Bill 1333 was pulled due what he claims was “misleading information” causing widespread confusion and fear among the public.
AB 1333 aimed to clarify scenarios where the use of lethal force in self-defense would be considered unjustified, particularly emphasizing situations where excessive force was employed beyond what was reasonably necessary.
The bill quickly became controversial, attracting fierce opposition from conservative critics who portrayed it as another lenient, crime-friendly initiative by California Democrats. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is also running for governor, publicly opposed the bill, asserting that it would effectively criminalize self-defense actions against offenders.
“Sacramento Democrats have spent the last 15 years tying the hands of law enforcement and coddling criminals, using and abusing ordinary Californians in their attempt to make criminals the real victims,” Bianco declared. “Now, they’re actively trying to tie the hands of our residents, who have had to defend themselves against re-released career criminals far too often.”
As the NRA wrote in response to the withdrawal:
AB 1333, if passed, would have restricted the self-defense rights of crime victims by eliminating California’s “no duty to retreat” protection for individuals that are forced to defend themselves. This would make it easier to prosecute victims of crime who use self-defense if they did not first attempt to retreat before protecting themselves. AB 1333 would force victims to accede to the demands of violent criminals or potentially face legal charges themselves. This only revictimizes the victim of a crime while doing nothing to deter criminals.
Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher credited public and institutional pressure for the bill’s withdrawal, citing vocal opposition from the public and district attorneys.