France's Assembly approves controversial police‑firearm presumption law

The French National Assembly voted in a first reading to grant police and gendarmerie a presumption of legitimate defence when they fire their weapons. Under the bill, officers will be presumed to have acted lawfully unless proven otherwise, shifting the burden of proof onto victims or their families. The measure, championed by right‑wing deputy Éric Pauget and supported by the ruling coalition and the National Rally, passed despite fierce opposition from left‑wing parties, trade unions and civil‑rights groups. Critics, including Amnesty International France, warn the law will shield police misconduct and impede investigations, noting that a police officer who shoots could no longer be placed in custody. A petition against the proposal has gathered over 560,000 signatures, and the text now heads to the Senate for further debate.