ATLANTA — A bipartisan group of Georgia House representatives say they will introduce legislation to repeal the state's citizen's arrest law.
The statute comes under scrutiny from lawmakers amid the outcry over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. The men charged with murder in the case have said they were attempting a citizen's arrest when one of them shot and killed Arbery, though there is no evidence he had committed any crime.
“This legislation’s focus is to prevent civilians from taking the law into their own hands,” Rep. Carl Gilliard, D-Garden City, said in a release.
Gilliard is joined in a group that includes Atlanta Democrat Roger Bruce, St. Simon's Island Republican Don Hogan, East Point Democrat William Boddie and Cuthbert Republican Gerald Greene in formulating the legislation.
“Our citizen’s arrest law was created in 1863, and this law is clearly outdated as it was formed in the fashion of the Wild West," Gilliard said. "When individuals lose their lives at the hands of civilians that become judge and jury, we must use the power of the pen to move Georgia forward.”
Section 17-4-60 of the Georgia Code stipulates: "A private person may arrest an offender if the offense is committed in his presence or within his immediate knowledge. If the offense is a felony and the offender is escaping or attempting to escape, a private person may arrest him upon reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion."
According to the release, the lawmakers' proposed legislation would "prohibit certain citizens from practicing a citizen’s arrest, including weight inspectors and citizens who are licensed with the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies."
The release said they would file the legislation during the 2020 session, which is currently suspended until June 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The lawmakers will hold a press conference on Friday at 10 a.m. in Savannah to outline their proposal.
MORE FROM THE AHMAUD ARBERY CASE
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Arbery family attorney after third arrest in case: We now want to see formal indictment, prosecution