Not in Our Hood!
The Issue
The "Stand Your Ground Law" was enacted on April 26, 2005 in the State of Florida. This law derived from the "Castle Doctrine" law, which allowed an individual to defend her/his property, home, and family from a perpetrator at any cost. With the help of lobbyist and supporting politicians the National Rifle Association was able to influence lawmakers in the state of Florida to enhance the “Castle Doctrine” law and turn it into what is known as the “Stand Your Ground” law in the state of Florida today. According the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, after the law was evolved the justifiable homicide rates greatly increase from 31 cases in 2004 (before the law) to 105 in 2010 (after the law). Amongst law enforcement justifiable homicide rates also increased, as well as gun permit purchases, and the number of weapons sold (fdle.state.fl.us, 2012).
This law became a household discussion after the recent assassination of a young African American male Trayvon Martin, who was murdered by self appointed neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who claimed to have acted in self-defense. For many weeks, there was a national demand for justice for the young man and his family. Recently, Zimmerman was prosecuted on charges of second-degree murder. However, a recent article published by New York Daily news states that there is still a very high possibility that Martin’s killer will be set free on bond this Friday April 20th, 2012.
In order to keep criminal acts from being excused by this law, Public Health students at Montclair State University are advocating against it. We believe that the “Castle Doctrine” law is permissible but the “free from jail” card offered to those that purposely enact harm upon others is a major public health and safety concern. Many states have similar laws, and many others are considering its revisions. Violence is a disease that spreads slowly; lets act now and keep this law from becoming nationally acceptable. We DO NOT want the Stand Your Ground law or anything that signifies it in our hood!
Rest in Peace to the young soul & other victims of this law.
To access the article regarding George Zimmerman’s possible release on April 20th, please visit:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/trayvon-martin-suspect-george-zimmerman-free-friday-article-1.1064429
All other information have been taken from:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (2012). Publications. Retrieved April 15, 2012, from Florida Department of Law Enforcement: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/036671bc-4148-4749-a891- 7e3932e0a483/Publications.aspx.
Total Criminal Defense, LLC. (2012). What is The Castle Doctrine. Retrieved April 15, 2012, from Total Criminal Defense: http://www.totalcriminaldefense.com/overview/castle-doctrine.aspx
The Issue
The "Stand Your Ground Law" was enacted on April 26, 2005 in the State of Florida. This law derived from the "Castle Doctrine" law, which allowed an individual to defend her/his property, home, and family from a perpetrator at any cost. With the help of lobbyist and supporting politicians the National Rifle Association was able to influence lawmakers in the state of Florida to enhance the “Castle Doctrine” law and turn it into what is known as the “Stand Your Ground” law in the state of Florida today. According the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, after the law was evolved the justifiable homicide rates greatly increase from 31 cases in 2004 (before the law) to 105 in 2010 (after the law). Amongst law enforcement justifiable homicide rates also increased, as well as gun permit purchases, and the number of weapons sold (fdle.state.fl.us, 2012).
This law became a household discussion after the recent assassination of a young African American male Trayvon Martin, who was murdered by self appointed neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who claimed to have acted in self-defense. For many weeks, there was a national demand for justice for the young man and his family. Recently, Zimmerman was prosecuted on charges of second-degree murder. However, a recent article published by New York Daily news states that there is still a very high possibility that Martin’s killer will be set free on bond this Friday April 20th, 2012.
In order to keep criminal acts from being excused by this law, Public Health students at Montclair State University are advocating against it. We believe that the “Castle Doctrine” law is permissible but the “free from jail” card offered to those that purposely enact harm upon others is a major public health and safety concern. Many states have similar laws, and many others are considering its revisions. Violence is a disease that spreads slowly; lets act now and keep this law from becoming nationally acceptable. We DO NOT want the Stand Your Ground law or anything that signifies it in our hood!
Rest in Peace to the young soul & other victims of this law.
To access the article regarding George Zimmerman’s possible release on April 20th, please visit:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/trayvon-martin-suspect-george-zimmerman-free-friday-article-1.1064429
All other information have been taken from:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (2012). Publications. Retrieved April 15, 2012, from Florida Department of Law Enforcement: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/036671bc-4148-4749-a891- 7e3932e0a483/Publications.aspx.
Total Criminal Defense, LLC. (2012). What is The Castle Doctrine. Retrieved April 15, 2012, from Total Criminal Defense: http://www.totalcriminaldefense.com/overview/castle-doctrine.aspx
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Petition created on April 19, 2012