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France faces backlash over police self-defence firearms bill

Critics say proposed law would give police 'licence to kill'; Senate vote looms amid education protests.

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
France is facing growing backlash over a controversial bill that would presume police officers acted in self-defence when using firearms, as the Senate prepares to vote on the measure. The bill, approved by the National Assembly in July, has drawn fierce criticism from advocacy groups and families of victims of police shootings, who argue it would legitimise violence and entrench impunity.

Issam El Khalfaoui, whose teenage son Souhail was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Marseille in 2021, described the proposed law as part of a systemic problem. "When my son was killed during a police traffic stop, we realised how difficult it was to bring the truth to light," he told Al Jazeera. "The police and the justice system took different actions to cover up the evidence." El Khalfaoui noted that the police watchdog lost the video of the incident, witnesses were not interviewed, and the case file disappeared from court.

France has one of the highest rates of fatal police shootings in Western Europe. At least 69 people were killed by police or gendarmerie officers in 2024, up from 49 in 2023 and 50 in 2022.

The bill faces a vote in the Senate as the country also grapples with unrest over education funding. During recent protests, a 15-year-old lost a hand from a police stun grenade and a 14-year-old had their jaw shattered by a tear gas canister thrown at close range. The government has since halted the use of stun grenades. Authorities say 700 police have also been injured.

El Khalfaoui launched a petition against the draft law that has gathered more than 700,000 signatures. Critics describe the measure as a "licence to kill". Several advocacy groups, including Stop State Violence (SAVE) and the Human Rights League, have condemned the bill.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The bill would shift the burden of proof in police shootings, making it harder to hold officers accountable.
  • It comes amid a spike in fatal police shootings and public anger over police tactics during protests.
  • The outcome could set a precedent for police use-of-force laws in other European countries.

Background

France has seen growing tensions between police and communities, particularly in working-class and immigrant suburbs. The number of fatal police shootings has risen in recent years, drawing domestic and international scrutiny. The proposed law, which presumes officers acted in self-defence when using firearms in the course of duty, was approved by the lower house of parliament in July 2026. It now requires Senate approval to become law.

Key Perspectives

Families of victims and advocacy groups: Argue the bill will legitimise police violence and make it nearly impossible to prosecute officers who use lethal force unnecessarily. They point to cases such as Souhail El Khalfaoui's, where evidence was lost or mishandled. Government and police unions: The government has not commented directly on this bill in the available reporting, but has previously defended police actions and cited the need to protect officers in dangerous situations. Police unions typically support measures that strengthen legal protections for officers. Critics and legal experts: Warn the bill could violate international human rights standards and encourage a culture of impunity. They note that France's police already benefit from a high degree of legal protection compared to other Western European countries.

What to Watch

  • The Senate vote date and whether the bill passes or is amended.
  • Continued protests and potential escalation of strikes or blockades by student and activist groups.
  • Any legal challenges or constitutional review if the bill becomes law.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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