France Approves Police Gun Law, Opposition Calls It 'License to Kill'

France's National Assembly has passed a contentious law that presumes police officers and gendarmes act in legitimate self-defense when firing their service weapons. Under the new legislation, officers' actions are considered lawful unless evidence demonstrates the contrary. This measure comes amid significant public scrutiny of law enforcement methods, particularly concerning their handling of demonstrations and a rise in police violence. The law, championed by the conservative Les Républicains party and supported by the government and the far-right National Rally, passed with a vote of 313 in favor to 199 against. Proponents argue that officers face unprecedented daily violence and need assurance they won't be systematically treated as suspects when using their firearms. The law outlines specific scenarios for using lethal force, including threats to life or physical integrity, or when a suspect flees in a manner that endangers others. The presumption of self-defense applies unless evidence proves otherwise, and the burden to demonstrate unlawful action will fall on victims' families or the prosecution. The parliamentary session was marked by tension, with protests from victims' groups and human rights organizations. Left-wing parties decried the law as a "license to kill" and unsuccessfully proposed amendments. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the law as protecting law enforcement officers, while acknowledging it does not grant total immunity. Amnesty International criticized the law for reversing the burden of proof, stating that victims or their families must now justify the police action. The Human Rights League also noted that officers involved in shootings would no longer be subject to police custody, potentially hindering testimony and evidence collection. The law now proceeds to the Senate for validation.