House Committee Kills "Make My Day Better" Bill

The House Judiciary Committee has killed a Republican bill aimed at expanding the state's "Make My Day" law allowing homeowners to use deadly force to deter unlawful entry.

HB 1066, sponsored by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, would have allowed business owners to shoot to kill any person who they believe has committed a crime or is in the process of committing a crime against person or property.

The bill, which was also introduced in the 2007 session, was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch.

The vote to kill HB 1066 was close due to the absence of Reps. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, and Debbie Stafford, D-Aurora, from the hearing. All five Democrats present at the hearing voted to postpone the bill indefinitely, while all of the GOP members of the committee voted to send it to the House floor.

Despite the unanimous Democratic opposition to the bill in committee, the measure did have a Democratic co-sponsor - Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West.