Some state lawmakers say they're willing to take another
look at Arizona's 'stand your ground law' in
the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting and trial in Florida, but there's deep division over whether
any changes are needed. The law is an extension of statutes that say you can
use deadly physical force, if necessary, in self defense. It says if you are
legally in a place, you have no duty to first attempt to retreat. Republican
Representative Eddie Farnsworth, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee,
defends people's right to defend themselves.
“That's a God-given right,” Farnsworth said. “There's
nothing controversial about that except by those people who would believe that
there ought to be some kind of gun control and we shouldn't be able to defend
ourselves. I just think that's ridiculous.”
Arizona
is one of nearly two dozen states with 'stand your ground' laws. Democratic Representative Steve Gallardo, who
acknowledges the 'stand your ground' law was not raised as a defense by George
Zimmerman, worries that more people know about the provision and will try to
use it.
“Where normally they may have turned around and walked away
now are going to say, 'No, I'm going to turn around and I'm going to stand my
ground and I'm going to make sure that no one's going to push me around,’”
Gallardo said.
Lawmakers are not due to return to the Capitol until
January.