Wins Worth Fighting For: Preserving Self-Defense

The Fight: Assembly Bill 1333

Do you remember when we covered Assembly Bill 1333 back in March of this year? I covered in detail the latest bill introduced in the California Assembly that threatened the self-defense rights of Californians across the state.

As a quick recap:

AB 1333 proposed rolling back several key protections currently enshrined in state law—like the right to use deadly force when defending your home or stopping a felony. Under current Penal Code 197, deadly force is justified in four specific situations, including defending your property, others, or yourself from serious harm or felonies. AB 1333 would gut those protections—removing the right to use deadly force in defense of property or to stop many felonies and replacing it with vague language about “reasonable force” and a new duty to retreat. This would shift California from a Stand Your Ground state to one where you’d be required to prove in court that you couldn’t escape—even if someone broke into your home. We also discussed how the bill would add new limitations, like banning deadly force if the court decides you used “more than necessary” or if you “provoked” the situation. In short: AB 1333 was a direct attack on your right to defend yourself, your family, and your home.

I laid out three key reasons why we must reject AB 1333:

1. First, it incentivizes crime.
   When you remove consequences, you invite more criminal behavior. We saw this after Prop. 47 passed—crime spiked, especially among repeat offenders. AB 1333 takes us even further down that road. It sends a dangerous message: criminals get protected, law-abiding citizens get punished.

2. Second, it abandons the government’s duty to protect the people under its care.
   From John Locke to our own state constitution, the role of government is to safeguard life, liberty, and property. This bill does the opposite. It strips Californians of their right to defend themselves and forces them to hesitate in life-or-death situations—putting victims at risk and letting violent offenders off the hook.

3. And lastly, it promotes what is wrong.
   Government should uphold justice and punish wrongdoing. Instead, AB 1333 flips morality on its head. It protects intruders and criminals while putting innocent people through trials just for defending their families. That’s not justice—it’s a betrayal.

Californians made it clear last November with the passage of Proposition 36 that they’re done with soft-on-crime policies. If our leaders won’t listen, it’s time to speak louder. So, I called you to take action by providing you with a letter template and urging you to reach out an let your representatives know that you do not support this bill.

The Win: The Death of AB 1333

Onto the good news! AB 1333 has been withdrawn from the Assembly!

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur announced in March that he’s pulling the controversial bill, citing "misleading information" that sparked public backlash.[1] Critics of the bill rightly pointed out that it would confuse when deadly force is legally justified—potentially criminalizing people simply trying to protect themselves.

Zbur still insists that the bill was never meant to touch the right to defend your home—but as we saw, the wording of the bill told a different story. One provision would have limited the use of deadly force even when protecting your own home or property, and that’s why so many of us spoke out!

There was a TON of backlash to this bill!

Law enforcement officials, including Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea and Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain, expressed concerns that the bill would create unreasonable standards for self-defense and potentially endanger law-abiding citizens.[2] Additionally, Republican lawmakers such as Assemblyman Tom Lackey and Assemblymember David Tangipa labeled the bill as an assault on self-defense rights, emphasizing the potential risks to homeowners during violent intrusions.[3]

 Public opposition – from all of you! – was also evident, with advocacy groups and citizens voicing their concerns about the bill's implications on self-defense rights. The widespread criticism and confusion surrounding the bill's language ultimately led to its withdrawal, as Zbur acknowledged the need for clarity and expressed his commitment to public safety.

My friends, this is a win – a win worth fighting for and a win worth celebrating! The withdrawal of AB 1333 isn’t just a procedural move or a political recalibration — it’s the direct result of public opposition! It shows what happens when everyday people like you and me raise our voices and refuse to stay silent about policies that are unjust, dangerous, or simply out of touch with the real needs of Californians.

Assemblymember Zbur’s decision to walk back this bill came only after a flood of criticism, concern, and clarity from law enforcement, legal experts, and most importantly — residents. People spoke up in every corner of the state, expressing outrage at the idea that the government would make it harder to defend your family or your home. That backlash couldn’t be ignored.

Real Life Effects of This Win!

This reversal is proof that our voices matter. It's proof that political pressure works. And it’s a powerful reminder that civic engagement isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a necessary tool in holding our leaders accountable. It has real, tangible effects on our lives!

The withdrawal of AB 1333 means:

1.     You have a clearer legal path to protect your family. If someone breaks into your home in the middle of the night, you shouldn't be paralyzed by fear — not just of the intruder, but of the law turning against you for doing what any parent, spouse, or roommate would do: protect the people you love. With AB 1333 off the table, Californians maintain clearer protections for self-defense in high-stakes, split-second situations.

2.     It means your kids live in a safer world. Every parent wants their children to feel secure — to walk to school, play in the yard, sleep at night — without fear that criminals are being given the benefit of the doubt over law-abiding families. When bad laws are defeated, it strengthens the message that we prioritize protecting the innocent, not shielding the violent.

3.     It reassures first responders and law enforcement. This is a HUGE implication! Law enforcement officers expressed concern that AB 1333 would tie their hands and complicate prosecutions in cases where self-defense was obvious. Pulling the bill gives prosecutors and police clearer legal ground to do their jobs — defending victims, not putting them on trial. We wat law enforcement and our criminal justice system empowered and backed by our state government to prosecute dangerous criminals – NOT everyday citizens.

4.     It reinforces the sanctity of your home. Your home is supposed to be your safe place — where you can rest, raise a family, and live in peace. Any law that blurs the lines around defending your property undermines that peace of mind. Standing up to this bill helped preserve the integrity and safety of your home.

5.     And of course, it shows your voice has power. This wasn’t stopped by lobbyists alone. It was stopped by people like you — citizens who cared enough to speak out. That means you are not powerless. You’re not invisible. You can impact the laws that affect your daily life — and your safety in your own home.

Don’t miss the implications of this reversal: when we show up, speak out, and call wrong what it is, we can change the outcome. We can stop dangerous legislation in its tracks. We can shine a light on injustice and force our representatives to face the truth that their priorities are not our priorities. This is the fruit of that effort.

Call to Action

So, be encouraged! Be energized! This is not the time to disengage — it’s the time to lean in. If we can get a bad bill like AB 1333 withdrawn, imagine what we can do when we turn that momentum toward electing better leaders, advocating for better policies, and building a safer, more just California for everyone. Now, this isn’t to say Zbur won’t be back. He says he plans to revise the bill and reintroduce it later. So, stay alert. This was only paused—not defeated. We didn’t win everything — BUT, DID win this! And that matters.

Let’s keep fighting for clear, just laws that protect innocent people—not embolden criminals, and let’s do it knowing that we are doing the important work of preserving our society, our government, and our country!

References:

[1] ABC 10 News. “California Self-defense Bill Pulled Due to ‘misleading Information,’” March 13, 2025. https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/california-self-defense-bill-pulled-due-misleading-information/103-078c5b64-f8c8-4cad-9f55-413310a8cd3c.

[2] Symon, Evan. “More Sheriffs Oppose California Bill Making Self-Defense Illegal – California Globe.” California Globe, March 3, 2025. https://californiaglobe.com/fr/more-sheriffs-oppose-california-bill-making-self-defense-illegal/

[3] Contra Costa News. “California Bill Would Restrict Self-Defense,” February 25, 2025. https://contracosta.news/2025/02/25/california-bill-would-restrict-self-defense/