AB2584 (2026): The Preemptive Self Defense Act: Expanding Self-Defense Protections

What the Bill Would Do

Assembly Bill 2584, titled the "Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026," proposed civil immunity for a person who lawfully resists a public offense^[1]. Penal Code sections 196-199 address justifiable homicide, and PC 198.5 provides a presumption of reasonable fear for specified uses of force within a residence. Contrary to a common misconception, California already has no general duty to retreat. CALCRIM jury instruction 505 (Justifiable Homicide: Self-Defense or Defense of Another) explicitly states: "A defendant is not required to retreat." PC 198.5 presumes reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily injury when a resident uses force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury against someone outside the family or household who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has entered the residence, and the resident knew or had reason to believe that entry occurred.

The March 26, 2026 version proposed amending Civil Code section 50 to provide that no civil liability or cause of action accrues against a person who lawfully resists a public offense as described in Penal Code sections 692 and following. The immunity would not apply to a primary aggressor who subsequently suffers injury or to a person who used force not proportional to the reasonably perceived threat^[2].

Current Status

AB2584 did not pass in the 2025-26 session. The Assembly Public Safety Committee recommended passage with amendments on March 24, 2026, with the action recorded March 25. The Assembly amended the bill on March 26, 2026. Its last recorded action was in Assembly Judiciary on April 28, 2026, when testimony was taken without a recorded vote.

What to Watch

The latest bill text proposed a civil immunity rule with exceptions. It did not amend the criminal self-defense statutes or include a restriction on considering martial arts or combat training. The proposal did not become law.