Florida shooting renews debate over 'stand your ground' laws

[Jenna]

In the months after the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2005 allowing residents to use deadly force to protect themselves no matter where they were, gun-control advocates plastered the state with fliers bearing warnings to tourists.
Be careful, the fliers said. Florida had become a "shoot first" state.
The issue has remained in the news, on and off, ever since, but perhaps never so much as now in the aftermath of the shooting death of an unarmed teen in Sanford, Florida.
A neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, has claimed self-defense in the February 26 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed while walking back to the house of his father's fiancee after a trip to a convenience store.

Florida's "stand your ground" law appears to be central to the case.
How Fla. law affects Trayvon Martin case Dad sure cries on 911 are his son's Self-defense in Florida teen's shooting? Attorney: It was a gun vs. Skittles
The law allows people to use deadly force away from their homes -- where such force has long been allowed -- if they have reasonable fear an assailant could seriously harm them or someone else.
It also eliminates a longstanding "duty to retreat" in the face of imminent harm, asserting that would-be crime victims have the right to "stand their ground" and "meet force with force" when attacked as long as they are in a place they have a right to be, are not engaged in unlawful activity and believe that their life and safety was in danger.
It won with the strong endorsement of the National Rifle Association, or NRA, which at the time said it put the law "on the side of law-abiding citizens."

More here: Florida shooting renews debate over 'stand your ground' laws - CNN.com

[sgtbear111]

This reads like it was written by a junior "correspondent, from Pravda after being given the Party Line, now go out and dig up something to support the Party line.

[lewisipso]

allowing residents to use deadly force to protect themselves

If someone isn't using the law as it was meant to be used is misusing the law.

[lewisipso]

Florida's "stand your ground" law appears to be central to the case.
How Fla. law affects Trayvon Martin case Dad sure cries on 911 are his son's Self-defense in Florida teen's shooting? Attorney: It was a gun vs. Skittles
The law allows people to use deadly force away from their homes -- where such force has long been allowed -- if they have reasonable fear an assailant could seriously harm them or someone else.
It also eliminates a longstanding "duty to retreat" in the face of imminent harm, asserting that would-be crime victims have the right to "stand their ground" and "meet force with force" when attacked as long as they are in a place they have a right to be, are not engaged in unlawful activity and believe that their life and safety was in danger.
It won with the strong endorsement of the National Rifle Association, or NRA, which at the time said it put the law "on the side of law-abiding citizens."

Mr. Zimmerman should hope that his actions fall within those guidelines. Based solely on the media reports (careful there) it does not appear so. Considering to strike down this law would be nothing more than an improper reaction.

[bayern]

If this shooting involved "Black on Black" or "Black on White" there would be little of any notice given by the media. You can bet your ass Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton wouldn't give a hoot. If it was White on White, the guy would be a hero.

[Odd]

I blame France's open firearm laws for this massacre.

Wait, wrong story? What the hell, run it, the public won't notice. They never do.

[GunmetalGray]

Blatant propaganda.

From what I can gather, this gentleman committed a homicide.

Awful hard to claim self-defense if you follow someone, especially after being instructed not to

Takes two to fight.

[countybear]

The federal government has absolutely -0- right to involve itself in this matter, unless the State court's disposition returns a decision which is blatantly unconstitutional, then on appeal up the chain, SCOTUS, if necessary.

There is a process for this to follow. Bandwagoning and political pandering should not be allowed... but just watch.