‘Stand Your Ground’ law is working as planned

The “stand your ground” (SYG) law assures the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves in public as they might in the home, without a duty to retreat, but requiring the same legal standards of reasonableness as in customary self-defense.

SYG does not give a free pass to murder, excuse poor judgment on the part of the defender, or promote vigilantism.

When criminals attack you in public, they may beat and stab you, and leave you for dead. Later, police arrive and investigate. Even if police believe they know who the criminals are, arrests aren't made until all evidence is gathered and a prosecutable case is built. Sometimes justice is done and the criminals spend some time in jail.

In Florida, a neighborhood watch member killed an unarmed teenage boy. He awaited the police and admitted that he shot that teenager, claiming he did so in self-defense. Prima facie evidence suggested his claim was reasonable and police released him. While further investigation ensued, police knew exactly who and where the shooter was. More evidence was gathered, and a prosecutable murder case built. An arrest warrant was filed, and the suspect turned himself in.

SYG does no harm, but does exactly what it is supposed to do. The law allows a person to defend themselves in public without retreat. If they do so unreasonably, they may be criminals and proceed through the criminal justice system.

SYG works in Florida; it can work here.

Charlie Dyer

Shellsburg