Posts Tagged ‘shoot first’

On June 8, 2012, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a measure requiring a full investigation of any death that results from violence or under suspicious circumstances when a claim of self-defense is raised. A law enacted in Alabama on May 22, 2012 modifies the existing law that provides property owners with immunity from civil liability for injuring or killing a trespasser in self-defense, so that immunity is provided only if the property owner reacted reasonably to the circumstances.  Several other states considered amending or repealing “shoot first” laws this year (including Michigan, North Carolina, Mississippi and South Carolina). In addition, the conservative, corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that developed the model shoot first law recently announced that it was disbanding the task force responsible for its creation.

See our Shoot First Resources for a more detailed discussion of this issue.

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Citizens Stand Their Ground in Pa.
Jon Rutter, Lancaster Online.com, May 20, 2012

This story discusses “shoot first” legislation in Pennsylvania, referencing LCPGV’s information on the issue.

Trayvon Martin Tragedy Reverberates in Nevada
Paul Takahashi, Las Vegas Sun, April 11, 2012

In the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin shooting tragedy in Florida, many states rethink their own “shoot first” laws, and communities struggle with the racial and public safety implications of such laws and their consequences.  This article chronicles a forum held at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas that attempts to make sense of the shooting – and the state’s “shoot first” law.

Companies Pressured Over Ties to ‘Stand Your Ground’ Group
James O’Toole, CNN Money, April 10, 2012

Following the Trayvon Martin shooting, advocates against Florida’s broad – and controversial – “shoot first” law put pressure on companies to cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group that actively promoted Florida’s “shoot first” law to state legislatures across the country.

The Spread of ‘Gun Rights’ Laws Encourages Violence
Mary Sanchez, The Kansas City Star, April 9, 2012

Commentary about the problems inherent in broad “shoot first” laws – laws that are spreading across the country.

Trayvon Martin Case Has Some Looking at Nevada’s New Self-defense Law
Karoun Demirjian, Las Vegas Sun, April 1, 2012

This article looks at Nevada’s recently-adopted “shoot first” self-defense law, in light of the recent Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida.  Florida has one of the broadest – and most dangerous – “shoot first” law in the nation, and the Nevada statute is similar in scope.

Trayvon Killing Stalls Stand Your Ground Laws
Amanda J. Crawford, Bloomberg News, March 30, 2012

This story examines the impact of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida on “shoot first” legislation in other states. The shooting death and resulting confusion around Florida law has stalled, at least temporarily, the adoption of similar laws across the country.

Trayvon Martin Case: Alabama Has ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law
Kim Chandler, The Birmingham News (al.com), March 30, 2012

This blog post from the Birmingham (Alabama) News discusses that state’s “shoot first” law — a law similar to the Florida statute that has been at the center of the Trayvon Martin shooting.

Black Fraternity Hosts Vigil on Quad to Honor Trayvon Martin
Rafael Guerrero, Daily Illini.com (University of Illinois), March 29, 2012

A college newspaper reports on a vigil at the University of Illinois to honor and remember Trayvon Martin, hosted by a traditional African-American fraternity.  The article discusses the “shoot first” laws and racial issues involved in that shooting.

Arkansas Law on Deadly Force Stricter Than Florida’s
John Lyon, Arkansas News, Mar. 25, 2012

This piece discusses Arkansas’ “shoot first” provisions and compares them with Florida’s “shoot first” statute, in the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida.