Florida Lawmakers Agree to Hearings on 'Stand Your Ground' Law.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/reuters

Florida lawmakers will hold hearings this fall on the state's "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law, which has become a lightning rod for criticism following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

The announcement on Friday by Will Weatherford, the speaker of Florida's House of Representatives, marked the biggest concession yet by the state's Republican leaders to protesters' demands for a top-to-bottom review of the law, which allows people in fear of serious injury to use deadly force to defend themselves rather than retreat.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/08/02/us/politics/02reuters-usa-florida-law.html?hp

[ornotna]

1. This should be interesting

I'm sure there will be a lot of back slapping and congratulations on what a great law they have in place.

[24601]

2. As expected, there is pretty significant news coverage of this in our area (Tampa). Changes,

however, are not likely. As NBC reports, nationally 53% support "Stand your Ground" and 40% do not. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/02/19831793-majority-of-americans-support-stand-your-ground-laws-poll?lite

[Kingofalldems]

3. I bet this is for show only

[onehandle]

4. Lip service from the NRAGOPteahadists. nt

[heaven05]

10. exactly

[alp227]

5. Trayvon's parents continue call to amend 'stand your ground' laws

Attorneys for Trayvon Martin's parents on Friday renewed their appeal for changes to "stand your ground" laws around the country, calling them vague and confusing.

The laws – including Florida's landmark legislation – can feasibly allow an "initial aggressor" or a person who starts a fight, to kill someone and then claim self defense, attorney Benjamin Crump said.

"You cannot pick a fight and then kill the person and then claim 'stand your ground'," said Crump, standing alongside Trayvon's parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. "It flies in the face of common sense…What message are we giving to society?"

Crump made the remarks during the National Association of Black Journalists convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee.

full: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-trayvon-martin-parents-black-journalists-20130803,0,1199780.story

[rocktivity]

6. CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

I love the sound of blinking in the evening!


rocktivity

[DonCoquixote]

7. Keep in mind

a lot of EU folsk have vacation homes and property. Granted, many of them do own guns, but Tallahassee knows they do not want them spooked off, especially with Costa Rica gunning for many of the same people that used to come to Florida.

[BainsBane]

8. It's a start

[heaven05]

9. window dressing

nothing will come of it.