Regarding Trayvon Martin and "Stand Your Ground"

This piece, by Wilson Huhn from the "Akron Law Cafe," which appears on the right sidebar of this blog, is the clearest commentary I have seen on why the Florida statute is wrong.

The key passage goes like this:

This is not really a criminal law. It is rather an attempt to celebrate a particular conception of "honor."  It does not carefully and dispassionately define its terms. Instead, it invokes memories and emotions; it reminds us of the sacrifices of our ancestors; it seeks to glorify violence and, in particular, the use of guns in the defense of justice. The key language contained in the statute – STAND YOUR GROUND – would be a terrific title for a war movie or a western, but it makes lousy law.

Well done.