COMMENTARY | Gun control and the Second Amendment always seem to be on trial. Whenever there is a rash of murders in a particular city or a tragic school shooting, the issue is taken up over whether steps should be taken to ensure guns aren't being used improperly. In Florida, it has the "stand your ground" law. It allows citizens to use deadly force to protect themselves if they feel in danger.
Perhaps the state should add an addendum that states "use common sense in tandem." Although he has not been charged with a crime, according to CNN, George Zimmerman is claiming self-defense in the shooting of a 17-year-old boy. There are conflicting reports as to what led to the shooting, but here is a big problem: No neighborhood watchman should be walking around with a gun.
The second thing that complicates this is the "stand your ground" rule applies to cases of self-defense under the threat of personal safety. According to MSNBC, a police dispatcher told Zimmerman he did not need to follow Trayvon Martin. I'm not always correct in my assumptions, but how can you claim self-defense when you are following somebody?
Laws like this need to be looked at with a close microscope. If you give somebody the power to do something with limited regulation, chances are they will use it. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Florida Gov. Rick Scott says once the investigation is completed, he will take some kind of action. The definition of self-defense needs to be clearly redefined. Or at the very least, remind people that following somebody and then shooting them does not constitute self-defense.
