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Florida Senator Files Stand Your Ground Revamp Bill  December 19, 2012 | WMFE- Florida's Senate Democratic leader Chris Smith filed legislation Wednesday aimed at revamping the state's Stand Your Ground law. The Fort Lauderdale senator says his bill, which follows recommendations from a task force he commissioned, ends the confusion caused by the law. Senator Smith says his Self Defense senate Bill removes a loophole that allows someone to provoke a violent confrontation and claim a justification defense because of fear. And he says under his bill people can no longer receive automatic immunity from arrest or detention if they tell police they had to kill or hurt someone because they feared for their life. Senator Smith says the tragic shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford this year was a call to action. Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman claims he fatally shot the teen in self defense. He’s charged with second degree murder. A separate task force formed by the Governor’s office after the shooting recommended clarifying some of the language in the law, and increased training for police, judges and attorneys to ensure self defense laws are applied fairly. |
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