DENVER -- A Senate bill introduced at the state capitol would allow Coloradans to use deadly force to defend themselves not just at home, as the current Make My Day law allows, but also at their businesses and in their cars.

But under the proposed Make My Day Better, people who use deadly force to protect themselves in businesses or cars would also be shielded from prosecution.

Although the bill sponsor, state Rep. Cory Gardner, said it's a matter of common sense, some law enforcement agents said they believe expanding Make My Day protections to vehicles and businesses would bring more trouble than it would prevent.

"Right now we have the protection of the Make My Day Law," Gardner said. "But the question I ask is why should I be any less able to defend myself in my business and vehicle than I am in my home?"

Gardner said a little more than a year ago an employee at the Funky Buddha lounge in Denver shot a burglar but an attempted murder charge was later reduced to first-degree assault.

"But it's still a very serious crime -- a crime where he was simply trying to protect his own life," Gardner said.

Some police chiefs are among those who are concerned about the measure.

"(It's) just much more difficult to control when it's literally out in public," said Englewood Police Chief Chris Olson.

Olson said he worries that the bill goes too far and that it's an invitation for drivers to shoot first and ask questions later.

"If somebody approaches them, maybe makes what they perceive to be some sort of a life-threatening situation, they could interpret that to be OK to shoot that person and he may be totally innocent," Olson said.

Olson said he also wonders about traveling salespeople and asked what their place of business is. He also asked, how do you judge someone's intent in a car or business as opposed to being in someone's own home?

A house judiciary committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss Olson's questions and other issues surrounding the measure.

The idea of expanding the Make My Day protections has been raised before when Gardner brought it up during last year's legislative session. It was rejected by one vote on the house floor.