04:23 PM MDT on Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Associated Press

BOISE -- The House voted 61-to-just-six on Tuesday in favor of a National Rifle Association-backed measure giving Idaho residents the right to defend their homes and businesses by whatever force is necessary, without fear of a lawsuit.

The bill has already passed the Senate, and heads to Governor Dirk Kempthorne for his signature.

The bill was modeled after a Florida law that makes residents immune from civil or criminal prosecution if they injure someone who breaks into their home.

Senator Mel Richardson, the sponsor, has said the bill comes from the doctrine that "a man's home is his castle and he should be able to defend it."

The NRA has been pushing this so-called "Castle" legislation in several states.

According to the bill's text, "This in no way is intended to apply to if such force is used against law enforcement officers."

That was added to win police agencies' support.