The Florida legislature is taking steps to alter the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law that rose to prominence after the tragic death of Trayvon Martin two years ago. Martin’s parents attended a rally earlier this month with MSNBC host Al Sharpton where they protested against the law. Sharpton declared Florida “Ground Zero” in the battle against these kinds of laws all over the country.
The changes to the law were passed unanimously in the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee, with both Republicans and Democrats backing the measure, as well as a lobbyist for the NRA. The proposed fixes would include a requirement that a full investigation be pursued over whether there was lawfully used force in a situation were the aggressor cited self-defense, and it also takes injuries from third parties as a result of self-defense measures.
One of the bill’s supporters, Stacy Scott, said, the law is “not to be used for vigilantism, for revenge or as an excuse to confront people.”
You can watch CBS Miami‘s report on the measure below:
[photo via Shutterstock]
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