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Trayvon Martin Shooting: Do You Agree with ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws?

Good Morning America 2012/03/20 23:16:47
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  • Judge Peter Hill 2012/03/21 01:21:44
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Judge Peter Hill
    +9
    Let's not start pulling the "guns are the problem" argument in a case like this. Guns are not the problem, the clowns behind the guns who don't show common sense are the problem! Remember, gun control disarms the victims, not the criminals! The stand your ground law is intended to protect people who are in legitimate danger of being attacked and to prevent them from being charged for using legitimate force to protect themselves, which was not the case here. Similar to cases where a burglar was shot while breaking into a home and the homeowner was charged for shooting the burglar-this is why "stand your ground" was passed! In this case, the shooter was not in any danger and should be charged for using excessive force!
    >> See Replies

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  • HotPuhtaytuhs 2012/04/06 19:39:42
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    HotPuhtaytuhs
    But it shouldn't be allowed to be used as a blanket defense for any and all situations. Fact of the matter is a man shot and killed a boy. I'm guessing this isn't an isolated case in states with such a law.
    reply
  • Cat 1017 2012/03/28 15:18:46
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    Cat 1017
    Look what happened to Trayvon for standing his grounds...
    reply
  • Mike 2012/03/27 21:07:58
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Mike
    Absolutely
    reply
  • Bibliophilic 2012/03/27 19:05:06 (edited)
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    Bibliophilic
    It's not legal to stalk and shoot someone because he's annoyed at being targeted for no reason. Guns are for self-defense not shooting people on a whim.

    WHY shoot an unarmed person? This is what I don't understand. Also, if it were in self defense why couldn't this man shot him in the leg or the arm?
    reply
  • KATLYN 2012/03/26 13:06:39
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    KATLYN
    +1
    but not in this case, my heart goes out to his family
    reply
  • Dave 007 2012/03/25 11:54:11
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Dave 007
    +1
    Holy Crap. Any thing can be a "deadly force".
    reply
  • spencerific93 2012/03/25 05:42:59 (edited)
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    spencerific93
    I really don't know much about this particular law, and if there was a third option, I'd pick that. But if it is really allowing Zimmerman to go free, then I think it needs to be seriously altered.
    reply
  • Jane Doe 2012/03/24 05:20:47
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Jane Doe
    +2
    Girl throws flour at Kim k. and gets arrested. Guy shoots unarmed teenage boy and walks free.
    Help get justice for Tray http://www.youtube.com/watch?...
    reply
  • Freedom4 2012/03/23 17:15:47
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Freedom4
    +2
    He clearly violated this law and the law was in no way intended to defend cold blooded murder. Blame that on the attorneys
    reply
  • RobertChristopherLaity 2012/03/23 08:16:06
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    RobertChristopherLaity
    Seff defense is all well and good,nut running AFTER people and shooting unatmed people in the back is a disgrace.
    reply
  • showe274 2012/03/22 20:51:53
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    showe274
    +1
    Stand your ground isn't the problem in this case. This was an outright murder, the man chased the kid down. Trayvon never threatened violence. Therefore stand your ground doesn't eve apply.
    reply
  • bob h. 2012/03/22 13:58:00
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    bob h.
    As written; it means anywhere you happen to be standing, you can just blast away.
    reply
  • Mike bob h. 2012/03/27 21:10:32
    Mike
    You're by far one of the most ignorant people on Sodahead stand your ground law stand your ground law
    reply
  • bob h. Mike 2012/09/26 01:25:21
    bob h.
    Brave talk for somebody who thinks he's a football game.
    reply
  • Mike bob h. 2012/09/26 18:53:19
    Mike
    Dah
    reply
  • cyberbuff 2012/03/22 11:30:01
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    cyberbuff
    +1
    this "Law" is a validation/permit for an "OK Corral" mentality, and the legislation Must Be Outlawed!!!
    reply
  • DuncanONeil 2012/03/21 23:31:50
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    DuncanONeil
    +3
    Which did not happen in this case.
    reply
  • CJ 2012/03/21 22:33:28
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    CJ
    +3
    This law does not fit this case. The guy stalked and killed an innocent teen. That is called murder not self defense.
    reply
  • Vitalani 2012/03/21 22:11:05 (edited)
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Vitalani
    +4
    However from the information available to the public this doesn't sound like self defense at all.....
    EDIT: New info coming to light. Other reports are of a witness saying that he SAW Trayvon brutally attack Zimmerman and he was heard screaming for help telling someone to call 911.
    http://newsfeed.time.com/2012...
    reply
  • bob h. Vitalani 2012/09/26 01:28:58
    bob h.
    The law became irrelevant when Zimmerman got out of his car. If he hadn't gotten out of his car, he might have had a defense.
    reply
  • Vitalani bob h. 2012/09/26 03:47:07
    Vitalani
    The law is always relevant. If Zimmerman was attacked then he was in the right, whether he left his car or not. If I see someone outside my house who looks shady, and I follow them, and then they try to kill me, I can use deadly force.
    reply
  • Joanne 2012/03/21 21:48:28
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Joanne
    +3
    This guy was following this young teenager so this law would not apply for this idiot. Is there any proof that this kid was using or used force against this guy? When is walking away a show of force against someone?! This guy better watch it or someone may use this law against him for using his force of being a moron and a bully.
    reply
  • fudge35 2012/03/21 21:35:41
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    fudge35
    +1
    This law legalizes murder. I understand if someone breaks into your house, but this law states you can do this anywhere, and without a witness someone that has a beef with you can murder you and get away with it, as self defense, even if you don't have a weapon. The American people should demand these laws should be invalidated. The NRA who dumps piles of money to these legislators to pass these laws, are the culperts. No one is safe with a law like this.
    reply
  • mm61675 2012/03/21 17:15:56
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    mm61675
    +4
    but there was no need for him to use deadly force. the kid was unarmed
    reply
  • sjalan 2012/03/21 16:45:01
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    sjalan
    +2
    And they are based in a racist "I can do anything I want to an animal and get away with it" mentality of the idiots that wrote them.
    reply
  • Gloria 2012/03/21 16:16:18
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    Gloria
    +2
    I call it the shoot before you think law.
    reply
  • mz jane 2012/03/21 15:18:21
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    mz jane
    +3
    We should have that right but we also need to use our brains when enforcing it. This guy chased this young man down and shot him. He should have left it alone, let it to the police to handle. After all the boy was 'running' away not at him.
    reply
  • timothy reardon 2012/03/21 15:09:46
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    timothy reardon
    +3
    this question has nothing to do with this young man being shot by a real moron that wants to be someone he's not
    reply
  • Monolith 2012/03/21 14:13:02
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    Monolith
    +2
    The thing is that the shooter was not "standing his ground." He was prowling for trouble and even asked by the police not to follow the boy!
    reply
  • Prime T... Monolith 2012/03/21 21:18:57
    Prime Time Lime
    +1
    The police, by rights, should have told the man if he shoots the man it is murder. Instead them hemmed and hawed about it.I agree with your statement and this man should get charged with murder.
    reply
  • bob h. Prime T... 2012/03/22 14:04:24
    bob h.
    +1
    He should get charged with murder and the whole PD investigated. He called the cops and told then he was stalking, and the cops sent no one. They knew him, and must have known he shouldn't have a gun, but still sat by.
    reply
  • goinpostal 2012/03/21 12:32:03
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    goinpostal
    +1
    on this law has to be modified
    reply
  • Herbtheman 2012/03/21 11:08:03
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    Herbtheman
    The stand your ground law is a good thing.How this case will work out is hard to say.
    reply
  • bob h. Herbtheman 2012/03/22 14:05:44
    bob h.
    So if you decide "your ground" is the sidewalk, you can just open fire?
    reply
  • Herbtheman bob h. 2012/03/23 03:06:41
    Herbtheman
    Yes if attacked on the sidewalk yes I would protect myself.
    reply
  • Mike bob h. 2012/03/27 21:11:36
    Mike
    stand your ground law stand your ground law
    reply
  • Miss UT 2012/03/21 06:27:57
    No, such laws are very dangerous and promote unnecessary violence.
    Miss UT
    +1
    These laws are a direct result of the NRA and thier quest to take us back to the 1800's. All we have to do is look at the mess in FL since this law was inacted...something like 12 deaths. Laws such as these run the risk of turning our streets into shooting galleries. How many have to die before these laws are changed?
    reply
  • Defend ... Miss UT 2012/03/21 12:27:24
    Defend Western Civlization
    +1
    the NRA want to stop RACIST/Sexist/Fascist Gun Control laws



    "That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms..." - Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at 86-87 (Peirce & Hale, eds., Boston, 1850. 2, col. 2.
    reply
  • SirJim 2012/03/21 06:26:39
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    SirJim
    +6
    Yes people have the right to protect themselves but there isn't anyway this case can anything be called self defense. He shot this kid because he wanted to shoot this kid plain and simple
    reply
  • geneticmistake 2012/03/21 05:25:50
    Yes, people have the right to protect themselves with deadly force.
    geneticmistake
    +3
    .....and be held accountable for any mistake. From what I read here http://www.nytimes.com/2012/0... this was murder being covered up by a corrupt police department. In no way was Zimmerman, the shooter, threatened. Martin initially ran away. An unaltered voice recording can be linked to an individual, or at least eliminate someone. The police should be able to tell if the screaming was Zimmerman.

    If Zimmerman isn't executed or sentenced to life in prison Martin's family or friends should use the law to attain justice. Confront Zimmerman in the street and get him to pull a weapon. Then kill him in "self defense". That way Zimmerman can't murder another.

    I support the right to bear arms. But a person better be sure they are threatened before pulling the trigger. Mistakes should be dealt with severely. There is no bringing someone back to life.
    reply
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