By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The state has a new deadly force law. It takes effect today. Governor Bob Riley signed the bill in April and says Alabamians have a right to protect themselves and their families from criminals. It broadens the circumstances in which a person can harm or kill someone if that person believes his or her property, family or life is threatened. It was a controversial bill for a while during this year's legislative session. Some African American legislators filibustered it for a while over worries homeowners could shoot someone and then later claim they felt threatened.