Here is a definition of the law..
"A stand-your-ground law is a type self-defense law that gives individuals the right to use reasonable force to defend themselves without any requirement to evade or retreat from a dangerous situation. It is common in multiple jurisdictions within the United States. The concept sometimes exists in statutory law and sometimes through common law precedents. One key distinction is whether the concept only applies to defending a home or vehicle, or whether it applies to all lawfully occupied locations. Under these legal concepts, a person is justified in using deadly force in certain situations and the "stand your ground" law would be a defense or immunity to criminal charges and civil suit. The difference between immunity and a defense is that an immunity bars suit, charges, detention and arrest. A defense, such as an affirmative defense, permits a plaintiff or the state to seek civil damages or a criminal conviction but may offer mitigating circumstances that justify the accused's conduct.
More than half of the states in the United States have adopted the Castle doctrine, stating that a person has no duty to retreat when their home is attacked. Some states go a step further, removing the duty of retreat from other locations. "Stand Your Ground", "Line in the Sand" or "No Duty to Retreat" laws thus state that a person has no duty or other requirement to abandon a place in which he has a right to be, or to give up ground to an assailant. Under such laws, there is no duty to retreat from anywhere the defender may legally be.[1] Other restrictions may still exist; such as when in public, a person must be carrying firearms in a legal manner, whether concealed or openly.
"Stand your ground" governs U.S. federal case law in which right of self-defense is asserted against a charge of criminal homicide. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Beard v. U.S. (158 U.S. 550 (1895)) that a man who was "on his premises" when he came under attack and "...did not provoke the assault, and had at the time reasonable grounds to believe, and in good faith believed, that the deceased intended to take his life, or do him great bodily harm...was not obliged to retreat, nor to consider whether he could safely retreat, but was entitled to stand his ground."
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I understand that people on the right (The NRA)defending this law,using this controversy as 2nd amendment argument,which is not, and on the left trying to revoked this law using the Martin trial as a scapegoat,both are wrong,and doing a disservice to their followers.
The law is good and helpful to the average citizen giving them the right to defend themselves,from those trying to do harm to an individual or their families ,how many of those that oppose this law,will be willing to stand and watch their wife or daughter being raped or worse, by some predator of any race?
Well, if the law was to be revoked, then that citizen could be thrown in jail for a long time,for killing or maiming that predator,who actually deserved what he got.
The Martin case was bad,and according to whichever side you were on,it was fair or a disgrace to our judicial system,but its outcome should no be used as an excuse to curtail the rights of the average citizen, not to take the law in its own hand,but to be able to defend himself and his family,from those that do not follow any rules or laws..
Let me make it clear, l disliked profoundly the NRA and what they stand for,l also believe in sensible gun control,background checks,banning automatic weapons etc, but with many more bad guys in the streets,and the police and those that are supposed to defend us,being out maned and outgunned,then its our own responsibility to defend ourselves,our families,and businesses,without the additional fear of going to jail,for doing the right thing....
Here is another good reason why this law should stay in the books...
'Bash mobs' sweep through Southern California
Long Beach police brace for a possible "bash mob."
Organized "bash mob" crime
rampages of roving groups attacking innocent people and businesses have
been striking cities around the United States. Law enforcement agencies
in Southern California have reported few similar problems -- until now.
In the last several days, there have been several reports
of such group crime waves in South L.A., Hollywood, San Bernardino and
Victorville. Long Beach police are bracing for another one Friday.
These so-called bash mobs of "flash mob" crime waves are organized through social media and have been a problem in Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington. In April, 28 Chicago youths were arrested on suspicion of attacking pedestrians along the city's famed Magnificent Mile. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation in May enacting stiffer penalties for people who text or use social media to organize mob attacks.
Long Beach police warned in a statement that participants could face severe penalties.
"The mere participation in such an event can result in felony charges including conspiracy, and are punishable by imprisonment in the state prison," according to the statement.
Police said they feared bash mob organizers planned to hit Long Beach at 2 p.m.
Long Beach experienced such a gathering July 9, when more than 100 people descended on stretches of downtown in an organized, sudden crime rampage.
On Monday, a group of unruly young people broke off from hundreds gathered for a Trayvon Martin prayer vigil and rushed into a Wal-Mart on Crenshaw Boulevard, where they tossed merchandise and tried to break into a jewelry display case.
In Hollywood on Tuesday night, a flash mob of thieves rushed down Hollywood Boulevard, stealing phones, knocking over tourists and vandalizing shops, according to police, who said it may have been related to the George Zimmerman verdict. Twelve people — 11 juveniles and one 18-year-old -- were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
On Wednesday night in Victorville, authorities arrested 17 people after a group allegedly tried to force its way into the Mall of Victor Valley.
These so-called bash mobs of "flash mob" crime waves are organized through social media and have been a problem in Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington. In April, 28 Chicago youths were arrested on suspicion of attacking pedestrians along the city's famed Magnificent Mile. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation in May enacting stiffer penalties for people who text or use social media to organize mob attacks.
Long Beach police warned in a statement that participants could face severe penalties.
"The mere participation in such an event can result in felony charges including conspiracy, and are punishable by imprisonment in the state prison," according to the statement.
Police said they feared bash mob organizers planned to hit Long Beach at 2 p.m.
Long Beach experienced such a gathering July 9, when more than 100 people descended on stretches of downtown in an organized, sudden crime rampage.
On Monday, a group of unruly young people broke off from hundreds gathered for a Trayvon Martin prayer vigil and rushed into a Wal-Mart on Crenshaw Boulevard, where they tossed merchandise and tried to break into a jewelry display case.
In Hollywood on Tuesday night, a flash mob of thieves rushed down Hollywood Boulevard, stealing phones, knocking over tourists and vandalizing shops, according to police, who said it may have been related to the George Zimmerman verdict. Twelve people — 11 juveniles and one 18-year-old -- were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
On Wednesday night in Victorville, authorities arrested 17 people after a group allegedly tried to force its way into the Mall of Victor Valley.
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