Posted on 03/25/2012 12:42:39 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The Justice Department should look into the “Stand Your Ground” laws that kept Florida police from arresting the man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, New York’s senior senator said Sunday.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said he wrote the Justice Department asking them to expand their review of Martin’s death to include the impact of Florida’s and other states “Stand Your Ground” Laws.
“Stand Your Ground laws is a whole new concept,” Schumer told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “Some people call it shoot first, ask questions later,” he said.
The laws generally grant immunity to anyone who uses deadly force, inside or outside of his home, if the shooter can reasonably claim he was defending himself.
“The laws all passed very, very quickly and I think the states who passed them, if they find the real facts, may decide to repeal them,” Schumer said, noting a survey of 13 cases by the Florida Sun-Sentinel that found 12 of the victims had not been armed.
Florida was the first of 21 states to pass such laws since 2005. The Sunshine State’s version allows police on the scene to decide whether they believe a shooter’s claims of self-defense.
In Trayvon Martin’s case, police have said they did the right thing by not charging 28-year-old George Zimmerman, a member of a citizens' watch, with the shooting.
Court-watchers say in other cases, cops make an arrest and then let the courts figure out if the use of deadly force was legally justified.
Schumer said he wants Justice officials to see whether these new laws “actually increase violence rather than decrease violence, and whether they actually prevent law enforcement from prosecuting cases where real crime has been committed.”
Zimmerman told police Martin attacked him after he had given up chasing the boy and he was returning to his truck. He had a bloody nose and blood on the back of his head, according to police.
Martin's family doubt Zimmerman's story and argue if the shooter was black there is no doubt he would have been arrested.
FU SMUCKIE!
Run for office in Florida and then you may have someting to say. Until then...Chuck you Schmuckie!a
If someone is trying to hurt/kill you, just stand there and let them.
Now why don’t you go pay your taxes? Your government is broke. :)
Strawman argument Chucky, tell us exactly who "some people" are Chucky. I'll bet they all have a (D) after their name.
The criminal picks the time, place, victim, mode of attack, and the goal of the attack. The only thing the victim has going for him or her is a law that really does permit us to “shoot first, ask questions later”. FU Chuck!
Chuck Schumer should be reviewed, then expelled from the Senate. A brief and successful trial for treason should follow.
Well, it sure makes me happy and relieved to hear that Chuck Schumer has weighed in on this. (sarcasm)
Demagogues chasing power and wealth were among the great fears of our Framers.
Sen. Chuck Schumer is really Village Idiot Chuck Schumer.
I just can't wait to hear Maxine Waters' comments.
Ah yes, the "some people" standard.
But two can play that game:
Some people call Chuck Shumer a dangerous idiot, a Communist shill, and an America-hating stooge.
Trayvon Martin was only 17 so he was unable to purchase the gun that would have enabled him to stand his ground against George Zimmerman.
Dummycrats have lost every gun rights argument to date and will continue to lose on this issue.
Sen. Stupid keep up your attacks, pleeeeeeeeeese!
Has Schumer done his job as a true statesman the way the US Senate is supposed to do yet and take care of the customers layaway issues at WalMart?
Chuck U Schumer!
“Stand Your Ground laws is a whole new concept,” Schumer told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Mr Shumer you sir are an idiot.
If you think that the people that founded this Nation retreated when attacked you need to go back to school.
Self defense is not a new concept.
putz
What he wants you to do is run away. He likes a nation of ninnies and cowards, because they will vote for a Nanny State to take care of them, and they will vote for people like him.
MARTIN COULD HAVE BOUGHT A WEAPON ILLEGALLY A LOT EASIER THAN IT IS TO BUY ONE LEGALLY.
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