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DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- As lawmakers in Iowa debate a proposed Stand Your Ground bill, a Dubuque man says prosecutors may never have charged him for making a citizen's arrest if the proposed "Stand Your Ground" law had been in place. The stand your ground component is part of a bill in the Iowa Senate that would make sweeping changes to Iowa's gun laws.

"I didn't want to shoot that woman. And I am glad I didn't."

Last August, Matt Drake used his gun to force a woman to the ground outside his Dubuque home.

That was after he says he saw the woman attempting to break into the house, through the window. He didn't shoot. However, police say Drake over-reacted.

Prosecutors charged him with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. In December, he accepted a plea deal for a lesser charge.

"I believe that the county attorney may have thought twice about prosecuting me at the time, had the Stand Your Ground law been in place," said Drake.

Right now under Iowa law, a person must do everything in their power to get away from a dangerous situation, before using deadly force.

Under the proposed Stand Your Ground Bill, a person could use deadly force in self-defense without having to run away first.

"If it's justified. That's the big component," said Dubuque Police Lt. Scott Baxter.

Dubuque police say the definition of justified is open for interpretation. But, if law abiding gun owners are properly trained, police say enforcement shouldn't be an issue.

"They're going to have to explain why they felt threatened what there perceived threat," said Baxter.

The proposed bill worries Regina Hutchinson.

"Anything can be considered a threat. Does that mean if this man is parked in a parking space that I wanted, that I can get out and kill him?" said Hutchinson.

The Dubuque Coalition for Non-violence cites an increase in murder rates in Florida as a reason they're against the Stand Your Ground law.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found after Florida passed that law in 2005, homicide by firearm rates increased almost 41 percent. The authors acknowledged that it's possible there may be multiple factors that led to an increase in the Florida homicide rate.

As for Drake, he thinks a Stand Your Ground law in Iowa would lower crime rates.

"It's a relief that if you're going to defend yourself, you don't have to worry about being prosecuted," said Drake.

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Iowans have mixed opinions on proposed Stand Your Ground gun bill - KCRG