Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida calls on state officials to take action in wake of Zimmerman verdict

  

Statement of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida in response to the Zimmerman verdict

The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida (DPCF) extends its sympathy to the family of Trayvon Martin and calls on Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature to address Florida's self-defense laws, including Stand Your Ground, also referred to as the Shoot First Law.

"We hold Trayvon's family in our hearts at this time," said Caucus President Susan Smith. "The disappointing verdict has surely added to the grief they have suffered since the loss of their precious child."

In calling on the governor and the legislature to act, Smith said, "The caucus supports the rights to self defense. The implementation of the extreme Shoot First Law in 2005, however, extended the concept beyond reasonable limits."

Shoot First legislation was written by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Similar laws have been passed in 24 states. Under traditional self defense laws, people have the right to defend themselves in their homes and under other conditions if they are in fear of bodily harm.

"Shoot First perverts the spirit of self defense laws by extending the conditions under which deadly force is considered legal." said Smith. "People have always had a right to defend themselves, but they also traditionally had a responsibility to try to resolve confrontations by negotiating or walking away. Shoot First removed the duty to retreat. Now people can just feel free to shoot first and ask questions later. This is wrong and, as the death of Trayvon Martin has tragically proven, leads to the unjust taking of innocent life."

The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida urges Governor Scott and the Legislature to repeal the controversial and ambiguous Shoot First law and return to the time-honored definition of self defense.

The DPCF is a chartered caucus of the Florida Democratic Party. The caucus recently released a report comparing the gun records of potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates former State Senator Nan Rich, former Governor Charlie Crist and former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. The report can be found on the caucus website.

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Susan Smith
President
Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
813-390-3616
stsmith222@aol.com