Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Schumer: Re-Examine All 'Stand Your Ground' Laws

NY senator fears laws could be increasing violence

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2012 4:07 AM CDT

(Newser) – New York Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on the Department of Justice to re-examine measures in all 24 states that have "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws, reports CBS News. Calling Stand Your Ground "a whole new concept in our jurisprudence," Schumer is urging an investigation to see "whether they actually increase, rather than decrease, violence, whether they actually prevent law enforcement from prosecuting cases where a real crime has been committed."

Florida police have claimed that their state's version of Stand Your Ground prohibited them from arresting George Zimmerman for the shooting of Trayvon Martin. "I think we should examine this law," Schumer said on Face the Nation. "They're all new, they've been passed very, very quickly, and I think the states who passed them, if they find out the real facts, they may decide to repeal them."

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 8, 2012.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 8, 2012.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
1%
9%
1%
47%
5%
37%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
the_lost_cause
Mar 26, 2012 1:00 PM CDT
Here in Virginia, our "Stand your ground" law is rooted in 400 years of history, so not quite so new. Women want the government out of their reproductive "rights" how about the government stay out of my gun case, which is an actual right.
Observer
Mar 26, 2012 11:05 AM CDT
Schumer is right. These laws are insane. These laws leave the decision to shoot people to anyone that has a gun. Doesn't matter if they are completely fucking crazy. OR too stupid to think straight. (Like many of the drooling idiot NRA members.)   Do these laws allow citizens to kill police that threaten them? Or a bouncer at a bar? Or a referree at a kid's soccer game that yells at them? It should. It doesn't matter who is threatening you. Get your gun or machete and kill them first. Then explain it.   I feel threatened by Jesus. I'm carrying my UZI just in case he comes after me. That's normal isn't it?
jerrymac
Mar 26, 2012 11:01 AM CDT
The gun hating liberal windbag has whooshed his opinion again. Same ole, same ole.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne