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'Stand Your Ground' Makes One Person Judge, Jury, and Executioner

Under "stand your ground," the burden of proof to use deadly force simply requires that a person imagines he or is in danger

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I am so thankful to not live in the 21st district of Illinois. How devoid of common sense can you possibly be? The law is for guiding prosecution of a potential crime. It is Not for making the decision to pull the trigger.

Ayoung of MI 9:30PM September 23, 2012

Hopefully, our elected and hired officials can use some common sense when interpereting this SIMPLE law... Unlike Angela C.

Andrew Young of MI 9:21PM September 23, 2012

The criminals have guns and they commit crimes all the time and the honest citizen has to wait until after the crime has been committed for law enforcement to arrive and for some it is too late. As someone whose house has been burglarized three times and two attempted burglaries I am home alone a lot and need to feel secure as it takes a long time to arrive. Most people are honest and would only use deadly force as a last resort. Those that want to kill ate usually the ones trespassing or committing the crime. I feel honest citizens should be able to defend themselves.

Linda of FL 1:16AM June 09, 2012

When any member of my family comes face to face with an armed criminal, a criminal that has no respect for another person or the law, then we have the right to protect ourselves. Others would have us run like a coward and surrender to the criminal. WE WILL NEVER DO THAT. Florida is ahead of most states in this. Don't tell us what to do; don't even think about it.

Tomas J. MacDonnall of FL 9:56PM June 01, 2012

This policy would justify a victim carrying a weapon and killing a bully rather than reporting him. On a deadlier note, if one has been criminally wounded, his attacker could merely finish him off and claim the victim was the attacker. With no witnesses, who's to prove otherwise? Home as castle has some legitimacy; you loved ones are vulnerable there. You can not claim "castle rights" anywhere down town and then "blow away" anyone who accidentally bumps into you. Or how about car as castle; if he cut you off, you get to bash him and then sue his insurance company even after you forced him off a cliff.

Dick G of OR 7:43PM April 20, 2012

I think we (civilians) should be able to do what we need to do. Instead of waiting for law enforcement, the attacker is always gone and the victim is left wondering. who actually does the police serve and protect? I think they protect the criminal. Forget putting someone in jail all that does is make them worse. I sure as hell hope Mo. has a hold your ground law, because the world we live in, it's every man for themselves.

Randy Morales of MO 6:19PM April 05, 2012

Michael, stand your ground laws are meant to encourage civility. Why don't people harass the police? Because police have the power and authority to arrest for disturbing the peace, assault and battery, etc. They also have the ability to use escalation of force protocols. Ordinary citizens don't have the training or usual authority to use those powers. Telling a lawful citizen to remove themselves from a lawful path to their destination is ridiculous. There is no potential for increased violence, but a framework for respect and fear that if an unlawful act is committed, repercussions will result. The point should be that the lawless should fear that the lawful, not the other way around.

Wm Curto of NV 4:55AM March 30, 2012