The Trayvon Martin shooting has focused attention on Stand Your Ground laws that exist in 23 states, including Texas. The laws allow people to use deadly force to when threatened without having to retreat. The question is, if the only other eyewitness to a shooting is dead - how can it be proved if someone was being threatened with deadly force, or had a reason to suspect that they were? Is this an open license for vigilantes?
- Click here for background on the laws.
Stand Your Ground laws have been heavily promoted by the National Rifle Association and the American Legislative Exchange Council.