Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned that the state’s self-defense laws could place masked federal agents in serious danger if residents believe their lives are at risk.
Speaking in NBC affiliate 12News, Mayes said Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law allows residents to use lethal force when they reasonably believe they are facing a life-threatening situation. That protection, she said, could apply even if the perceived threat turns out to be a federal officer, particularly when the officer is masked or lacks clear identification.
“It’s kind of a recipe for disaster because you have these masked federal officers with very little identification, sometimes no identification, wearing plain clothes and masks,” Mayes said during an interview with 12News.
Under Arizona law, individuals are not required to retreat before using force if they believe they are in danger. Mayes emphasized that the statute allows lethal self-defense in specific circumstances, including inside one’s home, vehicle, or on private property.
“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,” she said.
During the interview, host Brahm Resnik pressed Mayes on whether her comments effectively amounted to permission for civilians to shoot federal agents. Mayes pushed back, stating that she was describing the law as it exists, not encouraging violence.
She argued that situations involving masked or unidentified individuals create dangerous uncertainty for residents who may believe they are being threatened.
“If you’re being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer — how do you know?” Mayes said.
Mayes also made a blunt distinction about law enforcement appearance, adding that “real cops don’t wear masks.”
Watch the clip below:
