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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOhio's 'stand your ground' law takes effect Tuesday.
Cross posted in Ohio group.
Shoot first laws are already in place in other states and have proven to disproportionately harm Black people and increase homicide rates," House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said. "Ohio's new shoot first law will threaten more Black lives and ultimately make us all less safe."
That's why Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, is working with community leaders in his district to explain how the new law works.
"In my district, weve seen a large number of shootings and violence. I think about the increased number of incidents that are likely to happen now," he said. "I want to make sure my constituents understand the magnitude of this legislation on their lives."
"Perception is power," Jarrells added. And the way people perceive stand your ground laws even if it's incorrect can have fatal consequences.
Michael Drejka, of Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in prison even though he claimed he stood his ground when he shot Markeis McGlockton over a parking space in 2018.
Justice may have been served in that case, Jarrells said. But McGlockton's four children are still going to grow up without a father.
"People dont understand the specifics of stand your ground. They just hear the words and take a meaning from them," Jarrells said. "We are creating a space where the perception of this law could lead to violence.
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/04/04/ohio-stand-your-ground-law-starts-tuesday/4834416001/
Takket
(21,657 posts)Drejka was only convicted because of absolutely damning security footage. Without the video there is nothing prosecutors could have done to him.
Stand your ground makes it legal to pick a fight with someone and then shoot them the moment they stand up to protect themselves.
Omnipresent
(5,734 posts)Because its self defense, as long as there are no credible witnesses, and of course....Dead people tell no tales.
Duncanpup
(12,934 posts)I think they call it castle doc