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Show Criminals Have All the Rights, f" Gam Says in Reviewing Bill Some "possible misinterpretations" misinter-pretations" of pending criminal crimi-nal code legislation have prompted several Utahns and others to write Senator Jake Gam (R-Ut) protesting the fact that they may no longer be able to defend themselves and their property against intruders. intru-ders. The legislation is Senate Bill 1, which would codify all Federal criminal laws. "I agree with the intent ol S.l", the Utah Freshman said today. "It is necessary to bring the myriad of Federal criminal laws into a workable whole. But I do not agree with certain provisions of the legislation and am concerned that it is so complicated that different and possibly erroneous interpretations interpre-tations are being put on it. "The controversial provision provis-ion in the bill states that unless you or another person are threatened with serious bodily harm or risk of death, you are not justified in using deadly force against an intruder; that you are not justified in using deadly force to protect property- "It should first be clearly understood that this applies only to areas under Federal jurisdiction and does not preclude State criminal law. And, I think it has always been clear that a person has the right to defend his home or family. But in case there i misunderstanding, I Wan, position clearly defined- "It is difficult, if impossible, to determine ? ' you are threatened by intruder with bodily- harm ' you wake up in the middle the night and find someo " going through your home hi V do you know if he has weapon or what he plans to with it? It would be difficult stop and interview him person has the right to priva in the home and has the rig to protect it. If that mea ' ' shooting an intruder, heartless as it may sound, person should have the right do it in the privacy of tj home. "I feel that far too mu, ' leeway is being given to tj criminal and that the law many ways is making it easi for him to carry on. I think tl victims of crime should hi rights as well as the crin ( nals." |