The state’s prosecutors say that if a recent ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals is allowed to become law, “mere shoving matches could justifiably be escalated to gun battles,” and violent crime cases would be difficult to prove, hurting victims.

Missouri prosecutors are concerned that a recent decision by the state Court of Appeals could open self-defense laws so broadly that the slightest threat of a minor attack could justify a person responding with deadly violence.

The Nov. 12 ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, would threaten public safety by making it difficult to charge, try or resolve violent crimes, Robert W. Russell, president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, wrote in an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” brief.

“If the op

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