Trayvon Martin shooting prompts Houston legislator to recommend changes to Texas law

[onestepforward]

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Florida-Shooting-Prompts-Texas-Legislator-to-Recommend-Changes-to-Texas-Law-144989745.html

HOUSTON—The controversial shooting of a teenager in Florida has a Texas lawmaker demanding changes to the Texas version of the "stand your ground" law.
State Representative Garnet Coleman feels the state’s Castle Doctrine allows potential victims too much latitude to shoot first and ask questions later. He plans to introduce legislation to amend it.
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In 2007, the Legislature eliminated the "duty to retreat before using deadly force" portion of the law.

Coleman, citing the Trayvon Martin case in Florida as an example, says the 2007 change made it too easy for Texans to respond with deadly force when the situation might not warrant it.

"All it takes is a tragedy for people to understand that something needs to be changed," Coleman said. "And I don’t think any legislator in this state wants to be perceived as allowing somebody the ability to shoot someone without good cause.
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I agree with Coleman, but I don't think there is much of a chance to change the law at this time. Regardless, I'm glad that he that he is willing to try.

[sonias]

1. I immediately knew who this would be without reading your story

Representative Garnet Coleman has a great heart. And let me suggest that on the Senate side the Senator willing to pick up Coleman's bill would be Senator Rodney Ellis.

I totally agree with the move. Lets hope we can get some traction on this bill and get it passed in 2013.

for Representative Garnet Coleman!

[onestepforward]

2. Garnet Coleman is a true gem

as are many of our Democratic Reps. and Senators here in Texas.

[Xela]

3. Disagree with this initiative

We liberals (all of us really) need to have means to take care of ourselves. The police will not always be there, as Planned Parenthood has found out:

In 2011:
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/jul/27/planned-parenthood-mckinney-may-be-victim-arson/

And more recently in April, 2012:
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20120402/APC0101/120402014/Homemade-bomb-explodes-Planned-Parenthood-Grand-Chute-update-?odyssey=nav%7Chead


Xela