French Parliament Approves Controversial Law on Security Forces' Use of Arms

France's National Assembly has given its final approval to the controversial Ripost law, which modifies the legal framework for police and gendarmes using their firearms in the line of duty. The bill, which had previously passed the Senate, secured 351 votes in favor from centrist, right-wing, and far-right deputies, against 179 votes from left-wing blocs, with seven abstentions. This outcome occurred despite significant public opposition, evidenced by a petition that garnered over 700,000 signatures, prompting a renewed parliamentary review.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the reform in an opinion piece published in Le Monde, refuting claims that the legislation establishes a presumption of self-defense or grants greater impunity to officers. "Trusting the police and gendarmerie never means removing them from the control of the judicial system," Nuñez stated, asserting that the text "creates neither privileges nor impunity." This stance aligns with the government's position, though human rights groups, magistrates' unions, and lawyers have voiced concerns that the initiative effectively introduces a favorable presumption for law enforcement.

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Trusting the police and gendarmerie never means removing them from the control of the judicial system.

Nuñez emphasized that the Ripost law does not alter the existing legal conditions for the use of firearms by security forces, which have been regulated since the 2017 Interior Security Code. This code permits firearm use only in five specific scenarios, strictly adhering to principles of absolute necessity and proportionality. The minister argued that the reform's purpose is to prevent officers from facing automatic pre-trial detention for voluntary homicide following a shooting incident when there are initial indications they acted within legal parameters.

Under the new framework, in such cases, officers could be initially questioned through voluntary appearance, without prejudice to the ongoing judicial investigation. Crucially, investigations into shootings will continue to be directed by judicial authorities and conducted by the National Police General Inspectorate (IGPN) or the National Gendarmerie General Inspectorate (IGGN). This ensures the protection of victims' rights and the authority of judges. The minister cited IGPN data showing an increase in firearm use by police since the 2017 legislative change, with reported shootings decreasing from 394 in 2017 to 217 in 2024, remaining below the annual average between 2012 and 2024.

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the text "no crea ni privilegios ni impunidad".