California AB2584 allows individuals to take preemptive action against imminent threats of bodily harm without waiting for an attack to begin.

California AB2584, known as the Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026, modifies the state's Penal Code to permit individuals to take reasonable defensive action against an imminent threat of bodily harm without waiting for an attack to start. The bill emphasizes that the background, training, and professional fighting skills of the person taking defensive action will not be considered in determining the reasonableness of their actions. The resistance must be proportional to the threat and cease once the threat is no longer present.

California AB2584 allows individuals to take preemptive action against imminent threats of bodily harm without waiting for an attack to begin.

California AB2584, known as the Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026, modifies the state's Penal Code to permit individuals to take reasonable defensive action against an imminent threat of bodily harm without waiting for an attack to start. The bill emphasizes that the background, training, and professional fighting skills of the person taking defensive action will not be considered in determining the reasonableness of their actions. The resistance must be proportional to the threat and cease once the threat is no longer present.