Substitute House Bill No. 7194 amends existing laws concerning the unlawful discharge of firearms by clarifying that such actions do not include the intentional discharge of a firearm for lawful self-defense or the defense of another person. The bill repeals Section 53-203 and replaces it with new language categorizing the unlawful discharge of a firearm as a class C misdemeanor, explicitly excluding instances of self-defense from this classification. Additionally, it modifies Section 26-66 to ensure that regulations adopted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) cannot prohibit the intentional discharge of a firearm for self-defense or the defense of others. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.

The bill also clarifies the use of physical force in self-defense situations, stating that individuals may use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent harm, but they must retreat or comply with demands if it is safe to do so. It maintains existing exceptions for justified use of physical force, particularly when a person provokes an attack. Furthermore, the bill grants the DEEP commissioner authority to adopt regulations regarding hunting-related restrictions, including prohibitions on carrying loaded firearms near buildings and discharging firearms within specified distances. The bill has received unanimous support from the Judiciary Committee, indicating strong legislative backing for these changes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 53-203, 26-66, 53-202w, 53-202d, 53-202f
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 53-203, 26-66
File No. 752: 53-203, 26-66