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Minn. House OKs Deadly Force Bill, Sends To Gov.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota House has sent a bill to Gov. Mark Dayton that would expand the situations where people can use deadly force.

The House approved the bill in an 85-47 vote Wednesday.

State law already allows a person to defend their home or dwelling with deadly force. This bill widens the definition of dwelling to include overnight accommodations, cars, tents and boats.

The bill also creates a presumption that anyone who uses deadly force in these cases believes they are threatened with harm, and eliminates an obligation in current law to retreat from such situations.

The Senate added a provision that does not allow anyone to use deadly force if they believe the person entering their property is a police officer.

Dayton has not said if he'll veto the bill.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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