The French National Assembly has approved a controversial legislative proposal that establishes a presumption of lawful firearm use for police officers and gendarmes. In a vote held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the measure passed with 313 votes in favor and 199 against. The bill, which now moves to the Senate for further consideration, aims to clarify the legal status of law enforcement officers when they discharge their weapons in the line of duty.
Under the new text, officers are presumed to have acted within the framework of the law when using their firearms, unless evidence to the contrary is presented. This represents a shift from previous standards, where the burden of proof regarding the necessity and proportionality of force was more strictly scrutinized. The government, which supported the bill, utilized a procedural mechanism to bypass hundreds of amendments filed by opposition lawmakers, allowing the vote to proceed quickly.
Proponents of the measure, including Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, argue that the law provides necessary protection for officers who operate in increasingly dangerous environments. They contend that the presumption is rebuttable, meaning it does not grant absolute immunity and can be overturned by prosecutors or judges if evidence suggests the use of force was unjustified.
Conversely, the proposal has faced intense backlash from civil rights organizations, legal experts, and opposition politicians. Critics have labeled the measure a "license to kill," warning that it could lead to an increase in fatal police shootings and complicate efforts to hold officers accountable for excessive force. The debate occurs against a backdrop of rising police-related fatalities in France, which reached 69 in 2024, up from 49 in 2023.
As the bill heads to the Senate, public scrutiny remains high. A citizen petition opposing the measure has already surpassed 500,000 signatures, reflecting widespread concern over the potential impact on civil liberties and the rule of law. The practical effect of this legislation on future investigations into police conduct remains a central point of contention for the French public.