Study: FL Justifiable Homicide Rates Tripled Since "Stand Your Ground"
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
By: Sascha Cordner

September 18, 2013 | WMFE - Ahead of a Congressional hearing discussing Stand Your Ground laws, a coalition of groups has released a report claiming the number of deaths that are ruled justifiable homicides has significantly increased in states that have implemented the controversial law.

The 28-page report says the 22 states that have a Stand Your Ground law saw an overall 53 percent rise in justifiable homicides over a five year period.

According to that same study, Florida, which passed the nation’s first Stand Your Ground law in 2005, saw its number of justifiable homicides triple. 

The study was commissioned by several gun control advocates, including the National Urban League and Mayors Against Illegal Guns. 

It was released just before a congressional hearing called “Stand Your Ground Laws: Civil Rights and Public Safety Implications of the Expanded Use of Deadly Force.” Among the people expected to testify are Florida 2nd Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs and Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton. 

But the US Senate Judiciary hearing was postponed in the wake of Monday’s Navy Yard shooting. No new date has been set. 

Florida lawmakers will also hold a hearing on the law. Shalimar Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, who’s a vocal supporter of Stand Your Ground and has said he doesn’t want to change one comma on the law, will chair the hearing.