Stand Your Ground

Senator: 'There Is Clearly A Divide" In Florida Over Gun Policy

Gina Jordan — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Results from a Quinnipiac University poll last month show Florida voters like the idea of universal background checks for gun buyers.

Why Florida's Stand Your Ground Law Isn't Budging

Elaine Chen — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

On The Florida Roundup, here's what we're talking about from this week's news:

A Year Later, Community Awaits Justice In Travyon Martin Shooting

The Takeaway — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:32:13 +0000

Stand Your Ground Panel Recommends Keeping Law Mostly As Is

Margie Menzel — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

for News Service of Florida

The panel charged by Gov. Rick Scott with reviewing the state's 'stand your ground' self-defense law did not recommend any major changes to the statute, although it did make suggestions for tweaks by the Legislature in the upcoming session. The basic premise of the law isn't challenged in the final report released Friday. Scott's Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection included lawmakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, representatives of minority communities and law enforcement.

Interview: Trayvon Martin's Mother Hopes For Justice And Change

Mark Memmott — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:41:33 +0000

One year ago Tuesday, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., — a death that would reignite the national debate about race relations and raise questions about the "stand your ground" laws on the books in Florida and 29 other states.

Martin, was African-American.

Miami Dolphins Fishing For A Stadium Renovation

Elaine Chen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:00:00 +0000

On the Florida Roundup: The Miami Dolphins ask the public to go halfsies with them in a $400 million proposition to improve the Sun Life Stadium. But is hosting a Super Bowl really worth it? A skeptical public might be tougher to persuade after the Marlins ballpark deal.

We take your calls on whether public money fund the stadium facelift.

Trayvon Martin's Mom Calls For A Repeal Of Stand Your Ground Law

Margie Menzel — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:30:00 +0000

With lawmakers taking a new look at Florida's "stand your ground" law, the mother of the young man whose death brought the law back into focus urged lawmakers Wednesday to repeal it.

'Stand Your Ground' Linked To Increase In Homicides In Florida

Shankar Vedantam and David Schultz — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

If a stranger attacks you inside your own home, the law has always permitted you to defend yourself. On the other hand, if an altercation breaks out in public, the law requires you to try to retreat. At least, that's what it used to do.

Six Questions With 'Gun-Free Zone' Florida Representative

Margie Menzel — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has been all over the news this week. On Monday, responding to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, he said all remedies must be "on the table" legislatively, including allowing teachers and principals to arm themselves on school grounds.

Start The Fight? Then No 'Stand-Your-Ground' Defense For You Under Broward Senator's Bill

Rick Stone — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:23:36 +0000

Picking a fight with the gun lobby and legislative Republicans, State Sen. Chris Smith (D-Ft. Lauderdale) has introduced a bill that would substantially reduce the protections Florida's stand-your-ground law offers to armed citizens.

The law -- controversial because of its application in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin this year by a neighborhood watch volunteer -- allows the use of deadly force by someone who feels threatened. It also prevents police from arresting stand-your-ground shooters in many cases.

Shooting Evokes 'Stand Your Ground' Case

Rick Stone — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:02:27 +0000

A fatal shooting in Jacksonville last week may lead to new scrutiny of Florida's Stand Your Ground self-defense law.

The story is that Michael Dunn, 45, a white software developer from Satellite Beach, went with a gun to the window of an SUV in a parking lot to ask that the black teens inside lower the volume of their music. Reportedly, hot words were exchanged and Dunn fired eight times, killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis.

Investigators said no weapons were found in the SUV.

The Woman Behind Florida's Stand Your Ground Law

Gina Jordan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:21:19 +0000

The murder of Trayvon Martin turned a spotlight on Florida's law that authorizes the use of deadly force in self-defense. The law has been widely cited as the reason why shooter George Zimmerman has not been arrested.

Marion Hammer helped craft the law. She’s the powerful lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Florida. She’s also a grandmother who stands all of 4-feet-11-inches tall.