ABOUT STAND YOUR GROUND
According to Georgia law, people are allowed to defend themselves, or stand their ground, when they “reasonably believe” deadly force is necessary to defend themselves or another person. A person cannot claim self-defense if he or she created the circumstances that led to the use of force, or if he or she has committed a crime and is trying to escape. There are two opportunities to use this defense. A judge can hold a hearing and dismiss the charges if the self-defense argument is successful. Or, a jury can decide to acquit based on a “stand your ground” claim. (AJC, Nov. 2)
"Our sense of justice is being surrendered to madness such as 'stand your ground' laws." — the Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition. (AJC, Nov.2)
"They're complaining about the statute passed in 2006. It didn't change anything. It codified the existing (common) law. The reason it was passed (in 2006) was out of concern that, at some point, a judge would change the common law and impose some kind of duty to retreat, which never existed in Georgia. It's not a matter of why we need it. We've always had it. That's what this country was founded on." — John Monroe, of the gun rights group GeorgiaCarry.org (AJC, Nov. 2)
"In the 20-plus states with 'stand your ground' statutes, there will be bills and legislation advanced to try to modify these laws. This is not going to be the only state where this occurs. … I do expect there will be additional challenges." — Ron Carlson, University of Georgia law professor (AJC, Nov. 2)
"This law is an invitation for confrontation." — Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. (Associated Press, Oct. 30)
"This is not about politicking. This is not about inflaming racial tensions. This is about the right of everyone to protect themselves and protect their families." — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas (Associated Press, Oct. 30)
"We have to change the law so that this doesn't happen to someone else's child. My son wasn't doing anything wrong. He was simply walking home. He wasn't a suspect." — Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Florida teenager killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who claimed self-defense. (Associated Press, July 30)
"The injection of race into the story by the media, by irresponsible politicians and by the usual racial entrepreneurs, has been poisonous. President Barack Obama didn't help when his first reaction to the death of Trayvon Martin was, 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon,' thereby immediately making skin color a central issue." — Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer (July 19)
"You can be the greatest black guy around, but you can't get away from it." — La'Monte Johnson of New Orleans, on racial profiling.
"Pray for the young man who died too young and for his family that mourns his loss. Pray for George Zimmerman and his family as they move on." — Georgia state Rep. Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta (AJC, July 15)
