Is this law constitutional in your opinion? If not what amendment does it violate? Should the states repeal this law or keep it?
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Stand Your Grounds: A license to kill
In 2005, Florida was the first state to adopt the Stand Your Ground law. It is a law that authorizes you to use deadly forces in cases of self-defense without the duty to retreat in the face of any perceived threat to their life or property. On February 26, 2012 a tragic event occurred where the young African-American, Trayvon Martin was murdered by George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman was freed later that night by having this law make his actions constitutional. The law was adopted by 33 states to lower the homicide rates. Instead the percentages of murders have gone up, most of them coming from white males. Many people are now having second thoughts about this law. Some people believe that there are people out there, who are racially bias, and are taking advantage of this law. http://www.phillytrib.com/stand-your-ground-laws-a-license-to-kill/article_03172c17-c334-5c08-a95c-cb9c281ed29c.html
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I do not think that this law is in any way constitutional. It breaks the 14th Amendment's promise of due process, but it is also just plain awful, and is wrong on so many levels. It basically means that if two people were in a place with no witnesses, one could basically kill the other for any reason he wants, and get away with it by lying. This is one of the biggest issues with cases without solid evidence, people can lie, and anybody can say they feel threatened, and just because of that, it is okay to shoot people. It means that racism suddenly becomes alive and all too real in some places, because if someone doesn't like your race and you get stuck alone with them, they could kill you and get away with it. All states should repeal this law. I get self defense, but just because you feel something does not make it the truth, as is clear in this case. This basically justifies murder, and that should not be okay.
ReplyDeleteThe Stand Your Ground law protects murderers by claiming homicide is justifiable in cases of self-defense due to a threat to one’s life or property. The individual has no duty to retreat, and thirty-three states now carry some form of this law. It would be very easy for a person to get away with murder, especially if no one else were present to witness the circumstances leading to the violent self-defense act. The statistics shown in the article show that not only “states with Stand Your Ground laws have more homicides than states without the statute,” but also, that “a white shooter who uses deadly force against a Black victim is 350 percent more likely to be found justified than a Black shooter who kills a white victim.” From this information, it seems that the law is unconstitutional on the grounds of the 14th Amendment, where equal protection under the law is not being guaranteed for all citizens. Since the law seems to increase violence while discriminating against African Americans, it should be viewed as unconstitutional, and repealed.
ReplyDeleteIn the Stand Your Ground Law, it allowed for people to use deadly forces for self defense. This law in my opinion is not constitutional because of the injustice it serves. These people that have been killed due to this law are wrongfully accused and assumed to be dangerous and assumptions are not hard enough evidence to use lethal force. That is why the 7th and 14th amendment were created, in order to protect the people and to bring them to justice as opposed to immediately executing them. I believe that in some cases I can see why this law was put into effect but it's being wrongfully used and is being taken advantage of by some who's intentions are not those established by this law.
ReplyDeletei do think this is a constitutuional law hwoever its seems as if the white majority is abusing the law. it breaks the 14th amenedemnet by not allowing "due process" and it should be repealed due to the prior events
ReplyDeleteAgreed with Amy
ReplyDeleteI believe that the State Your Ground law is not constitutional. Without a witness, killing another person without evidence to do so is not justifiable under the 14th Amendment. On top of the fact that "a white shooter who uses deadly force against a Black victim is 350 percent more likely to be found justified than a Black shooter who kills a white victim," this law will only increase violence rather than help to prevent it.
ReplyDeleteThis law is not constitutional because lots of people have lost their lives and its seems dangerous
ReplyDelete"Since the law seems to increase violence while discriminating against African Americans, it should be viewed as unconstitutional, and repealed."(Amy) I agree that the violence caused isn't worth the discrimination against African Americans.
ReplyDelete"Since the law seems to increase violence while discriminating against African Americans, it should be viewed as unconstitutional, and repealed."(Amy) I agree that the violence caused isn't worth the discrimination against African Americans.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with this law because it supports those who commit homicides like Zimmerman. The states should repeal this unneeded law to prevent those who wish to abuse it killing people and pleading self-defense.
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ReplyDeleteThe Stand Your Ground Law helps us in times of danger by allowing us to protect ourselves when our lives are threatened. If someone retreats it could cost them their life.Thus,I agree with this law.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how i feel about this law, because people need to defend themselves in threat, but I feel that people will, and have taken advantage of this law, and there should be more regulation on it or possibly just taken away if it is such a large issue.
ReplyDeletei doont think it is right or constitutional, it in every way shape and form violates the 14th amendment
ReplyDeleteI don not agree with this law. I believe that people are taking advantage of it. There is proof of multiple African Americans being killed from what is said to be, "self-defense", and this is not right. People are not only using this when they feel in danger, they are killing out of anger and there is more than enough proof to show this. This law should just be taken away fully because more and more people will get killed. This is just causing issues.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with this law, not people can just yell self-defense. People need justice not just street justice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Justin there isn't enough hard evidence to prove whos wrong or right. And the 14th and 7th were created to protect peoples rights.
ReplyDeleteI do not think this law is constitutional because anyone could claim is was "self defense" and get away with murder. However sometimes people need to defend themselves from a dangerous person so it's a hard decision to make. It violates the 14th amendment that states that everyone has the right to having equal protection of laws. If the statistics show that murder rates increased after this law was created then maybe the states should repeal it.
ReplyDeleteStand your ground is not something that should have been implemented. It is not sufficient enough to think someone might have a gun, especially in the Trayvon Martin case in which the entire situation was created by the man who shot the kid.
ReplyDeleteI think the stand your ground law is a good law, but should not really apply to police officers, or anyone who has had training in dire situations. It should be used as a last resort, like the Trayvon Martin case it was not used correctly and should have been questioned. However for those who don't exactly know how to deal with life and death situation it's okay to use whatever force necessary in order to protect themselves however they deem possible.
ReplyDeleteI think the stand your ground law is a good law, but should not really apply to police officers, or anyone who has had training in dire situations. It should be used as a last resort, like the Trayvon Martin case it was not used correctly and should have been questioned. However for those who don't exactly know how to deal with life and death situation it's okay to use whatever force necessary in order to protect themselves however they deem possible.
ReplyDeleteI Believe that the stand your ground law is a good law. If a man is trespassing and you want them off your property because they are a threat to you and your property I believe you have a right to shoot.
ReplyDeleteI Believe that the stand your ground law is a good law. If a man is trespassing and you want them off your property because they are a threat to you and your property I believe you have a right to shoot.
ReplyDeleteThis law violates the 14th amendment and is very clear that people have taken advantage of this. More people are getting killed. It is best to resolve an issue without violence.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel this law violates the constitution. It actually supports it as it shows the protection of property. There are some instances in which this law is abused, as seen in the Trayvon Martin Case. However, this law is beneficial for citizens to feel they are safe on their own property. I do not feel this country is racist enough to purposely murder minority groups due to a law being implemented.
ReplyDeleteThis law has it's pros and cons it does violate the 14th amendment to an extent but you do have the right to protect your property and belongings.
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