There is clear evidence that “Stand your ground” laws like
the one in Florida that has been a topic of conversation since the killing of
Tayvon Martin encourage violence. They
are nothing short of licenses to kill.
Mother Jones provides two chilling graphics concerning “Stand
Your Ground” laws that all Americans should see. Shortly before the Florida law passed, the
Miami police chief warned: “Whether it's
trick-or-treaters or kids playing in the yard of someone who doesn't want them
there or some drunk guy stumbling into the wrong house, you're encouraging
people to possibly use deadly physical force where it shouldn't be used.'' Turns out he was right. According to an investigation by the Tampa
Bay Times in 2010, “justifiable homicides” skyrocketed in Florida after the
passage of Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
See the first graph below:
In spite of clear evidence that the Florida “stand your
ground” law brought an increase in violence to the state’s citizens, making
Floridians and vacationers alike LESS SAFE, the number of states enacting
similar laws has continued to expand to nearly half of the states thanks to
aggressive promotion of these laws by the NRA, Republicans and Conservative
interest groups.
Our nation has long struggled with violence. Thanks to these unnecessary and unwise laws,
it is becoming even MORE violent. We
need to repeal these laws and revoke the Republican-issued licenses to kill.
Read more here:
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