ITALY’s parliament yesterday approved a law allowing citizens to shoot bandits in self-defence, a measure that critics say will encourage the rise of vigilante groups.

The legislative change was championed by the populist Northern League party, which regularly calls for the castration of rapists.

It authorizes the use of guns and knives by robbery victims whether the robbery takes place on the street, in the victims’ houses, workplaces or shops. Lethal violence can now be used to defend not only Italians’ lives, but also their belongings.

"Today criminals will have more to fear while there will be fewer problems for honest people," said Italian justice minister Roberto Castelli, a senior member of the Northern League.

The measure was proposed after a series of headline-grabbing cases in which shopkeeps were accused of manslaughter for killing robbers. The measure applies only if there is a "risk of aggression" for the victim of the break-in and no sign that the intruder is backing down.

The centre-left opposition, who voted against the new law, said it amounted to promoting "do-it-yourself" justice.

"This is a ... measure that delegates the use of force to citizens with the sole certain result of increasing the risks for people's safety," said Paolo Cento of the opposition Greens party.

The initiative, which had languished for three years, is the latest in a flurry of high profile measures rushed through parliament by the Italian government ahead of a general election slated for April 9.