HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – Governor Corbett is expected to sign a controversial bill now headed to his desk that will expand the right to use deadly force in self-defense.

Currently, the so-called “Castle Doctrine” allows that a person may use deadly force, without a duty to retreat to safety if possible, against an intruder in their home. The bill on its way to Governor Corbett would essentially expand that right to include anyone who is threatened in any place they have a right to be.

The bill was amended to include exceptions where the shooter was illegally in possession of a firearm or was in the commission of a crime, or if they are in a confrontation with a law enforcement officer.

Richard Long, executive director of the Pennsylvania DA’s Association, says those changes made the bill more palatable to his organization, “We still believe it’s a solution in search of a problem. But if the change is going to occur, we’re more comfortable with the current version.”

Long says the DA’s are concerned that the changes will end up being used by criminals in an effort to avoid prosecution.

Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060