Oklahoma legislature would allow pregnant mother to use deadly force to protect unborn
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Oklahoma City, Okla., Apr 4, 2009 / 06:37 pm (CNA).- The Oklahoma Legislature is considering a bill that would define unborn children as persons to allow pregnant women to use deadly force to save the lives of their babies.

The bill, titled the "Use of Force For the Protection of the Unborn Act," was co-authored by State Rep. Mike Thompson and was sought by the group Americans United for Life.

"Unfortunately, we feel we need legislation like this," Thompson said to KOCO 5 News. "What we want to make sure is that a woman feels safe and secure defending herself and her unborn child against any attacker."

The bill reportedly stems from a Michigan case where a woman who was pregnant with quadruplets stabbed and killed her boyfriend after he hit her in a stomach. She suffered a miscarriage and was convicted of manslaughter.

Oklahoma law at present allows a person to use force to protect himself or another person from someone else. The new bill classifies an unborn child as "another" person, KOCO 5 News reports.

Josh Beasley, an official at the YWCA Oklahoma City, said statistics about abuse of pregnant women are startling.

"Domestic violence is the second-leading cause of death among (pregnant) women nationwide, so it's good they are taking the issue seriously and wanting to do something about it," he told KOCO 5 News.

The bill has passed the State House and Senate with no opposition and is back in the Senate for a final vote. It is expected to pass and go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that someone who defends his or her life is not guilty of murder if he or she is forced to deal a lethal blow to an aggressor. "Legitimate defense" also can be "a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others."

However, the Catechism also warns that self-defense which uses more than necessary violence is "unlawful."

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Ed
Woodbridge, VA 04/06/2009 12:19 PM EST
This is great law that conforms to God's Law (see Exodus 21:22-25), I hope other states adopt such legislation.

In response to robin:

Murder is not, as you incorrectly state, the leading cause of death of pregnant women. The article stated that domestic violence (not murder) was the second leading cause of death of pregnant women. Additionally, the last statement you make is a red herring. As Christians, we are called to care for the weak, the poor, the homeless, and the sick. And we do that. What you are trying to do is divert attention from the real issue: that a baby in the womb is a human life worthy of protection.
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Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/06/2009 11:24 AM EST
This law would make a fetus a 'person' under the law for the purpose of protection against attacked by a person other than its mother, but what is wrong with that--This mother intends to bring that child to term and give him/her life outside the womb--this is not a case where the host has by 'choice' decided to have that fetus destroyed before natural birth. This is not an abortion 'rights' issue therefore I don't understand how those who support the abortion industry could have any legitmate objection to this law and its limited scope. Also without this bill it appears this women does not have the right to use deadly force against an attacker who threatens death to the fetus via a punch or kick to the mother's midsection but is not sufficient to kill the mother. The Michigan case is mentioned as a reason why this law is proposed in Oklahoma---to protect Oklahoma mothers from the results we see in Michigan where there is no protective law. Rather than cheap publicity this will save the lives of some children (as a fetus), save a mother from a manslaughter charge and conviction. This law is intended to save some lives. But you knew all that Robin?
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Published by: Andy
USA 04/06/2009 09:40 AM EST
Robin, if a fetus isn't a human being, then please explain what it is.
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Published by: Mary
Shawnee Mission/KS 04/04/2009 09:22 PM EST
Great! I'm movin down south!
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Published by: robin
Phoenix, AZ 85013 04/04/2009 09:12 PM EST
This is obviously an attempt to make a fetus a person under the law. If murder is the leading cause of death of women who are pregnant, then the woman already has the right to protect herself. Michigan law has nothing to do with law in Oklahoma. I doubt the authors of the law intend to accomplish anything other than some cheap publicity. It is so much easier than actually trying to improve the lives of those who are born.
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