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THE LAW Reform Commission of TT has argued that despite the stand-your-ground laws being in contravention of certain parts of the constitution, the recent rate of crime which seems to persist, makes it necessary to establish a law that preserves the lives of law-abiding citizens in their homes.

“In recent years there has been a rash of home invasions across TT. Citizens have recounted stories of being awakened by men armed with all manner of weapons in their homes. There are traumatic accounts of being tied up, threatened and beaten by bandits ransacking their homes for cash and other valuable items. Some citizens have even lost their lives in home invasions.

“While the problem of crime is multi-faceted, this bill is a long-overdue measure to combat the spiralling crime of home invasions. The measures being proposed in this bill will ensure that householders who are the victims of a home invasion are not treated as criminals when they act in self-defence, defence of another person or defence of property.