Background of Issue
The Stand Your Ground law is a self-defense law that states that you do not have to retreat when threatened with death or bodily harm - as the Duty to Retreat states - and can use lethal force in order to protect yourself. The law was first enacted in the state of Florida on Oct. 1st, 2005, under the Jeb Bush administration, along with major backing from the National Rifle Association. Florida’s new law extends the use of the Castle Doctrine, which states that you are allowed to use deadly force under the circumstance your house and/or property is being invaded. Florida’s Stand Your Ground law states that you must have reasonable fear of death or bodily harm when using defensive force in the event that one’s home or vehicle is being violated, a person does not have to retreat if a threat is imminent, and provides immunity for criminal prosecution. Quickly after the enactment in Florida, dozens of states followed with similar Stand Your Ground laws but with slightly different uses of when lethal force may be used.
This law has a lot of controversy surrounding it. Many people believe that this law promotes more of a “shoot first, ask questions later” attitude than a law that intends to keep people safe. However, people who disagree with this statement say that the law allows them self defense without fear of prosecution. An example of why the law is controversial includes the Trayvon Martin case in Florida. After George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon, the Stand Your Ground law was cited as the reason for avoiding arrest, saying he was under threat by Trayvon. Yet many believe Trayvon did nothing wrong before being shot and killed and that the law did not apply to Zimmerman’s case. This is what much of the controversy involving the Stand Your Ground law surrounds.
This law has a lot of controversy surrounding it. Many people believe that this law promotes more of a “shoot first, ask questions later” attitude than a law that intends to keep people safe. However, people who disagree with this statement say that the law allows them self defense without fear of prosecution. An example of why the law is controversial includes the Trayvon Martin case in Florida. After George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon, the Stand Your Ground law was cited as the reason for avoiding arrest, saying he was under threat by Trayvon. Yet many believe Trayvon did nothing wrong before being shot and killed and that the law did not apply to Zimmerman’s case. This is what much of the controversy involving the Stand Your Ground law surrounds.