Recently, the death of Trayvon
Martin in Florida has shined a spotlight on the Stand Your Ground laws that
over 30 states have enacted. The law gives the ability for a person to use
deadly force when defending themselves in a dangerous situation, without the
need to retreat. Unlike the different Castle Laws, which allow a person to
defend their home, this law allows lethal force outside of a person’s home. Many
see this as a reason for more gun violence, while others see this as a necessary
means of self defense.
“Normally, a citizen has a duty to
retreat when confronted with what they perceive to be deadly force. The Stand
Your Ground doctrine mostly removes that...” US News
This has sparked a very large
and sometimes very heated debate between those who see this law and the right
to self defense as an extension of their 2nd amendment rights, and
those who support gun control laws, who have viewed the Trayvon Martin case as
yet another reason that there should be even more control over where and when
guns should be allowed.
"The attorney general fails to
understand that self-defense is not a concept, it's a fundamental human
right," he said in a statement. "To send a message that legitimate
self-defense is to blame is unconscionable, and demonstrates once again that
this administration will exploit tragedies to push their political
agenda." FOX News
In Florida, many are calling
for the “Stand Your Ground” laws to be changed, if not completely removed.
“Florida Gov. Rick Scott met with
protesters who have been camping out in the state Capitol on Thursday night,
but he said he will not call a special session to change Stand Your Ground laws
in the state.” Politico.com
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