Opposed to "stand your ground" laws on the books in Florida and close to 30 other states, Democrats in the Senate announced they will hold a hearing on that subject after Labor Day, which is certain to focus on the George Zimmerman verdict.
In announcing the hearing, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said there is a "need to examine civil and human rights issues" raised by those self defense laws.
The hearing announcement released by Durbin left no doubt as to how he sees the issue, and where he plans to take the hearing:
Around 30 states currently have some form of "stand your ground" laws on the books. September's hearing will examine the gun lobby's and the American Legislative Exchange Council's influence in creating and promoting these laws; the way in which the laws have changed the legal definition of self-defense; the extent to which the laws have encouraged unnecessary shooting confrontations; and the civil rights implications when racial profiling and "stand your ground" laws mix, along with other issues.
That move by Senate Democrats came as a handful of members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with Justice Department officials at the Civil Rights Division. Those lawmakers still want the feds to file civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
