Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law is facing more protests and backlash than ever as the two year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death passes. Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, recently spoke with CBS about her views on this controversial law.
“We don’t have to have a law in place that says, ‘I need to shoot and kill someone and then ask questions later’… [we’re] going to make positive change to make sure that ‘stand your ground’ doesn’t continue to happen,” she says in the interview. The “Stand Your Ground” law allows citizens the right to use deadly force to defend themselves without any other requirement. Trayvon was unarmed when shot by George Zimmerman in February 2012.
Despite the protest, Florida lawmakers are ready to expand on the law, not repeal it. Two bills are currently in consideration that would let citizens who are in fear of their life to fire a “warning shot” first. Bill sponsors, however, don’t see it as an extension of the law, but instead as a “clarification.” CBS claims that it’s likely that Rick Scott, Florida’s governor, will sign the bill into law.
Lucia McBath, another Florida mother who lost a son to a gunmen claiming self defense, says inclusion of warning shots in the law is “heinous.” “More lives are at risk, more people will shoot their guns and claim, ‘Well, it was just a warning shot’,” she says.
Trayvon’s mother Sybrina has also been active nationwide against gun violence, recently speaking out about profiling against children. “If it happened to Trayvon, it can happen to other kids as well. We have work to do we have to stay busy, vigilant on trying to solve this issue,” she spoke at a Milwaulke Technical College in a keynote address.
What do you think of Florida’s law? Do you agree with “Stand Your Ground?” Respond and let us know!
How many more must die, Stand Your Ground Governor @FLGovScott? #GOPGovsGottaGo
— Michael Terry (@michaelterry337) March 16, 2014
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