Virginia's House of Delegates has written into its law books centuries of common law allowing people to kill those who intrude into their dwellings and menace them.

One bill that shields people who kill or maim intruders from civil lawsuits passed 75-22 Thursday.

The more contentious of the two, however, protects people from criminal prosecution. It passed 70-28.

Critics said it's too broad, potentially conferring a license to kill over misunderstandings and petty provocations easily resolved without lethal force. They also said it's redundant because common law dating to 17th century England already protects people who defend their homes and families from threats.

Supporters dismissed the grim hypotheticals, saying it helps people be more secure in their homes.