The opening statements in the George Zimmerman trial are over; the case is finally under way. Was Zimmerman a vigilante who took advantage of Florida’s absurd “Stand Your Ground” law to shoot a young, innocent black boy for the crime of wearing a hoodie? Or was he someone who was genuinely threatened—by an unarmed 17-year-old!—and fired his gun in self-defense? Here at the Gun Report, we are rather skeptical of the defense, but notwithstanding that, the larger problem here is that laws like Stand Your Ground practically encourage vigilantism, and a Wild West mentality. The reader comments from the pro-gun advocates in this forum often stress the gun violence committed by...
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