I had written recently about the proposed "shoot first" bill in the Minnesota legislature that was vetoed by Governor Dayton. Police across Minnesota are glad he did. While I have not studied the differences in Minnesota's bill with that of Florida's existing law, I've been following the shooting of the Florida teenager by a block watch person who claims he was scared for his safety and was justified to shoot under Florida's "stand your ground" law. The police chief in the city where this occurred has temporarily stepped down and the law is being closely examined. This is a tragic case that may have been caused by a bad law. I am interested in your thoughts. I am sure this case will be closely evaluated by legal scholars and I look forward to seeing what we can do to prevent cases like this in the future.
Here is a news article on the law http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=149120748
and here is a story on the case and chief stepping down http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/bill-lee-trayvon-martin_n_1373475.html
Hey Gordon..I don't think the Florida law had anything to do with the shooting. I think it was Zimmerman who used poor judgement by following and confronting. In essence, creating the need for self defense. I carry everyday...I would not be justified if some kids yelled at me while I was driving by and I stopped to confront them. I walked into that "fight" just like Zimmerman did. The law is good, his actions were not. Have a good day and keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteMorgan A.
Hey Morgan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and your point is well taken. As I read more about it, I find there are more questions than answers.
Hope all is well with you and your family. Stop in and say hi and I will give you a tour of our new digs.
-Gordon
The first time I heard years back that the NRA was backing the Stand Your Ground Law I though it was bad. People could become vigilantes and get away with murder. If you don’t like someone get in there face and when they swing at you shot them (when no one is looking) and say I though he was going to kill me. Bad law? DAM RIGHT! Any law that lets you kill another person with out trying to back down is bad.
ReplyDeleteI hope the CP will never be allowed to carry.
Randy