Stand Your Ground Law

Florida has a law which causes many to question its value. The other evening a young black man went to a corner store to buy some candy and iced tea for his brother. On the way home a community volunteer who is armed and works with the police confronted the boy. The boy noticed that he was being followed and phoned his sister to ask what he should do. She told him to run home asap. The volunteer thought the 16 year old boy looked suspicious and phoned the police headquarters to ask what he should do. He was told to do nothing and walk away.

Seeing the boy run away this person caught the boy and in a struggle he claimed his life was threatened so as the boy ran away he was shot four times in the back. The chief of police heard this story and released the volunteer with his gun and badge.

A terrible outrage followed and the next day the chief took a leave of absence. The town was in an uproar and the governor called an inquiry. Meantime there were no charges and the volunteer is out on the basis of this law called stand your ground.  This law in simple terms means everyone has a right to use leather force if they feel their life is threatened. Does this sound like a good law?

Now the ugly face of racism comes into play and sides are drawn. We will never get the full story as there were no or few witnesses. There are other gun laws here in Florida which makes it difficult to maintain law and order when nearly everyone had a hand gun and has the right to use it.

I hope that the Governor will take a hard look at this piece of legislation and correct its application and avoid its miss use.