Arizona’s Democratic Attorney General, Kris Mayes, indicated during a recent interview that the state’s self-defense statutes might protect residents who shoot at masked ICE agents if they believe they are in immediate danger.
Mayes pointed out that Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” legislation permits the use of deadly force in instances where an individual has a reasonable fear for their life.
Speaking with 12News, Mayes described the use of plainclothes, masked federal agents with minimal or no identification as a “recipe for disaster” for both the public and the officers.
She reiterated that the legal framework in Arizona allows for the use of lethal force if a person feels their personal safety is significantly threatened.
“And we have a Stand Your Ground law that says that if you reasonably believe that your life is in danger and you’re in your house or your car or on your property, that you can defend yourself with lethal force,” Mayes explained.
“In this video, Vice President JD Vance addresses reports regarding ICE agents and alleged detentions in Minnesota, including a 5-year-old child (0:00). He expresses pride in his administration’s support for law enforcement and their efforts to enforce the country’s laws.
Vance clarifies the situation regarding the 5-year-old, stating that the child was not arrested but was present when his father, an undocumented immigrant, fled from ICE agents. He questions what ICE agents are expected to do in such a situation, emphasizing that they cannot leave a child alone and must still enforce immigration laws.
He further argues that if parents are given immunity from law enforcement due to having children, it would undermine the legal system. Vance also discusses instances where alleged American citizens were detained by ICE, explaining that in some cases, these individuals assaulted officers, justifying their detention. He concludes by stating that while chaotic arrests are undesirable, cooperation from local and state officials would reduce such incidents (1:56).”
The interviewer, Brahm Resnik, questioned whether her comments served as a green light for citizens to open fire on federal law enforcement officers.
Mayes responded by clarifying that she was simply stating the current legal reality of the state and was not attempting to incite or encourage any acts of violence.
“If you’re being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer — how do you know?” Mayes asked, highlighting the difficulty of identifying undercover agents.
The Attorney General concluded by asserting that standard law enforcement officers do not typically wear masks while performing their duties.