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Should Florida take steps now to repeal the "Stand Your Ground" Law?

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Three years ago Billy Kuch was shot in the chest at point-blank range when he accidentally rang the wrong doorbell. Just two weeks ago a Miami man chased another man alleged to have stolen his car radio and stabbed him to death. Both of the perpetrators got off without charges because of Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" law.

More than 6 weeks since 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, no arrests have been made and no charges have been brought. The reason? George Zimmerman claims to have acted in self-defense and his actions are potentially justified by the "Stand Your Ground" law.

Many states have "Stand Your Ground" laws. These laws allow the use of force in cases of self-defense, though Florida’s law has been especially controversial. Claims of self-defense in violent encounters have tripled since the law was enacted, and in these instances, all but one of the people killed have been unarmed.

Governor Rick Scott has planned to launch a task force to investigate the law, but not until after the Trayvon Martin investigation is finished -- which could be a year or more from now. Should Florida lawmakers take more immediate steps to repeal this law? Please take the poll and write what you think about "Stand Your Ground" laws in the comments below.

Issues:
  1. Update #1

    Posted by Jessica Dahl (Campaign Leader) on Apr 30, 2012

    An Arizona shooting in early April raises further questions about the "Stand Your Ground" laws. CNN.com recently reported a story about Daniel Adkins, Jr., a 29-year-old suffering from a mental disability, who was shot and killed by a shooter claiming to have acted in self-defense. Although no weapon was found on Daniel, the shooter hasn't been charged because of laws similar to Florida's "Stand Your Ground" laws.

    In addition to Arizona and Florida, there are 31 other states that have laws...

    An Arizona shooting in early April raises further questions about the "Stand Your Ground" laws. CNN.com recently reported a story about Daniel Adkins, Jr., a 29-year-old suffering from a mental disability, who was shot and killed by a shooter claiming to have acted in self-defense. Although no weapon was found on Daniel, the shooter hasn't been charged because of laws similar to Florida's "Stand Your Ground" laws.

    In addition to Arizona and Florida, there are 31 other states that have laws allowing the use of deadly force beyond the home if a person feels "at risk of death or great bodily harm."

    You told us how you feel, so ask your friends what they think about "Stand Your Ground" laws. Should they be repealed?

    Invite your friends here: http://bit.ly/Iki8vb

    See the CNN article here: http://bit.ly/JESeRX

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"Stand Your Ground" I would like to see everything equal. Why does one ask the color of ones skin? BAD is BAD WRONG is WRONG when we will we all get it straight.
If Zimmerman is wrong in this case than it should be because he is wrong not becasue the color of the skin. If Martin is wrong than it should be because he is wrong not the color of his skin. In fact the 911 operator was the first to ask about the color of skin. Zimmerman had not noticed, all he knew were robbers had in the...

"Stand Your Ground" I would like to see everything equal. Why does one ask the color of ones skin? BAD is BAD WRONG is WRONG when we will we all get it straight.
If Zimmerman is wrong in this case than it should be because he is wrong not becasue the color of the skin. If Martin is wrong than it should be because he is wrong not the color of his skin. In fact the 911 operator was the first to ask about the color of skin. Zimmerman had not noticed, all he knew were robbers had in the past gotten away and he called for help. If we really want to get along and get out of the racism than we need to start looking at the crime and not the color.

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Jackie Cox

Jewbaby VP Jewbaby yup you were there, like the police and know all the crime scene evidence, I wonder why you didn't close the case ijke the professionals did ?

Jackie Cox

untold thousands of south africans die of starvation, its their own fault, they have a mentality problem, blaming everything, and everyone, but where the real fault rests, within their own ranks

Well to be able to kill because you thought your life was being threated just goes to show there not in control of the own emotions so why are they running around with weapons in the first place. This is so sad for the victums & there familys. So The Stand Your Ground Law needs to be abolished before this case goes to court so these insecure people don't kill again... GOOD LUCK...

Well I can't comment and the main point cause I don't have all the UNBIASED FACTS. However I will always defend myself and those I care for. Before you biased people judge that statement. I said DEFEND NOT KILL (unless the situation really justified it). It really does get on my nerves to all the foreigners on here saying our country is bad for rules like this. Personally IN MY OPINION you brits especially piss me off thinking and acting like your better then everyone else and perfect...

Well I can't comment and the main point cause I don't have all the UNBIASED FACTS. However I will always defend myself and those I care for. Before you biased people judge that statement. I said DEFEND NOT KILL (unless the situation really justified it). It really does get on my nerves to all the foreigners on here saying our country is bad for rules like this. Personally IN MY OPINION you brits especially piss me off thinking and acting like your better then everyone else and perfect without facts. Ask an old man from northern ireland and I'm sure they won't think that. Another thing after people start stuff with america and lose we use our own hardworking taxpayer money to rebuild and improve that country. As far as I'm concerned we can shut ourselves off from other countries (we don't need you, we are self sufficient) then if you start stuff with us we will come whip your butt then leave you as-is. That countries fault for starting it so they don't deserve our help. We need the focus on us not you. Our money is needed to stay here badly. I have just gotten so sick and tired of other countries disrespecting one that has either saved them or helped them especially when we have the same problems as you or worse that need focused on here.

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Kyle Knowlton

Fund explosions welcome to the world of arms dealing. It's a business and treated as such. You wanna blame someone then blame those who actually made the explosions. Where did i say that we were knights, yes i said we helped you cause we did. We have our own problems here and i know that which is the main reason why we need to focus inward instead of making it worse by helping disrespectful pricks like you. Yet again you apparently don't even know part of your own history. I suggest you study up before you keep making that pathetic excuse that we only helped you when it suited us. Guess what you excuse for a human we lost soldiers and supplies over there too. Also like a puppet yet again you hold all americans responsible for what our crooked government does. If you actually lived here you would know we have been fighting that for a long time. As far as your country i personally don't care about it or any others. I am more worried about mine and you can worry about yours. Which leads back to the basis of this disagreement. WHY ARE YOU STICKING YOUR NOSE IN BUSINESS THAT DOESN'T AFFECT YOU OR INVOLVE YOU IN ANY WAY????? Worry about your own issues ..... OH WAIT i forgot according to your attitude The UK is perfect and we are all lesser beings that should be like you. Bingo that right there is the attitude that pisses me off no matter where your from. Like i said before america has its own issues we need to focus on before giving a crap about you or any others. I do believe when attacked by a country we have a right to defend ourselves. And no i don't care for fixing and improving a country that tried to destroy us.

Jewbaby VP Jewbaby

here we go again..down the cotton trail..its about this..no its about that...please stick to the issue..or does anyone know what that is...

I am a Disabled Vietnam Vet, and I may not be physically able to defend myself, That is why I have a CWP, for the purpose of saving my ife or other people who are around me at the time and need protection. Leave the law as it is, but I understand that it does not give me carte blanche to use my weapon anytime I feel like it. While in Vietnam I held my and a comrade's fire during a firefight one night saving the lies of a family of 4. They were in the wrong place and the wrong time....

I am a Disabled Vietnam Vet, and I may not be physically able to defend myself, That is why I have a CWP, for the purpose of saving my ife or other people who are around me at the time and need protection. Leave the law as it is, but I understand that it does not give me carte blanche to use my weapon anytime I feel like it. While in Vietnam I held my and a comrade's fire during a firefight one night saving the lies of a family of 4. They were in the wrong place and the wrong time. However I was trained as a child and then later on in the Army to " Positively Identify my target" 14 yr's later, Again I held my fire when our rental house which was in the country was apparently being "invaded" with my 44 mag. hammer back and locked and squeezing on the trigger aimed at the tgorso (heart region) of a man who crashed in through the back door and now in my dining room, He called out the name of the person who had lived there before we did. He was a very lucky young man as I was about to KILL him.. But I have been trained since I was 8yrs old. In conclusion I believe that more training should be given to people who apply for a CWP.

What about all of the people that may have lived if they had had some type of protection.

Hey "Mom," don't behave in a criminal manner. Don't enter others' private property without permission. Don't break & enter. Do not attempt to "car jack." Do not perform assault, or assault & battery. Hey "Mom," simply put, obey the laws that are approved by the citizens of your locale. Also "Mom," please teach this to your children. Please don't get "touchy, feely" with my natural instincts to protect my life, limb & property or that of my family's or neighbor's. It's an instinct given to me...

Hey "Mom," don't behave in a criminal manner. Don't enter others' private property without permission. Don't break & enter. Do not attempt to "car jack." Do not perform assault, or assault & battery. Hey "Mom," simply put, obey the laws that are approved by the citizens of your locale. Also "Mom," please teach this to your children. Please don't get "touchy, feely" with my natural instincts to protect my life, limb & property or that of my family's or neighbor's. It's an instinct given to me by my Creator, protected by OUR Constitutional Republic, and you can't legislate natural instincts away from Human Nature. Thanks, and God's Blessings.

Christopher T. Jones

NO, the Citizens of Florida should do nothing to the current law known as "Stand Your Ground."

Law should defend the innocent, and the guilty should be charged, and police has the duty to intervene before a crime is commited.....

We need to just get a law started immediately because it seems like every time we have one of these issues we want to pass agood law but it takes years sometimes so in the mean time more bad things just happen we need to learn to remember life is about L.O.V.E. and we should all feel safe♥♥♥.

Jewbaby VP Jewbaby

Dietra Elaine Beatty; and wouldn't u agree we need to feel that our children are safe??

"Stand your ground" should stand!

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