Democrats in Congress continue pushing for measures to limit the right to keep and carry arms. One pro-gun Republican lawmaker, however, has introduced a measure that would expand self-defense rights for all law-abiding Americans. Federal Stand Your Ground legislation is the result of this effort.
RELATED STORY
Massad Ayoob – Understanding Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine
Federal Stand Your Ground Legislation
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) has recently introduced federal Stand Your Ground legislation. The legislation is designed to make it easier for Americans to defend themselves and their family members in the event of a criminal attack.
Gaetz, along with other pro-gun Republican lawmakers, introduced the National “Stand Your Ground Act.” Other Florida Rep. Greg Steube, Texas Reps. Louie Gohmert, Randy Weber, Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin and Arizona Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are included.
The bill would make Florida’s strong SYG legislation a federal statute. The law allows for the use of deadly force when a person feels it is necessary to protect themselves or others from great bodily harm or imminent danger.
Gaetz stated in a press release that every American, like Kyle Rittenhouse has the right to defend his life from an attacker. “If someone attempts to kill you, you should be able to return fire and protect your life. Let’s affirm in law what is in our Constitution and in our hearts as fellow Americans. Eliminate the legal obligation to retreat from all places.
The federal legislation provides guidance on the use of non-deadly force for individuals. It states that a person can use, threaten, or attempt to use force against another person when they reasonably believe that such conduct is necessary to defend themselves or another against an aggressor’s use of unlawful force. The person who uses or threatens force in accordance to this paragraph is not required to retreat from the aggressor before using or threatening force.
Extended Justification
This measure also gives similar justifications for the use of deadly force against individuals under unlawful attack. It also clearly states that deadly force can be used anywhere a law-abiding individual can legally be.
The measure states that a person can use, threaten, or attempt to use deadly force if they reasonably believe that such force is necessary to prevent imminent harm or death to themselves or others or to prevent the commission of a forcible crime. “A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force in compliance with this paragraph does NOT have to retreat. You can stand your ground if the person using or threatening to use deadly force is not engaged or attempting to use it.
Strong Opposition
Anti-gun organizations and legislators hate SYG laws. They often refer to them as a license for murder. They are not extensions of the Second Amendment-protected rights to keep and bear firearms and the right of self defense.
Everytown For Gun Safety explains it this way: “Stand Your Ground laws allow people to kill, even if they start the confrontation, and even when they can safely deescalate the situation by walking off.” Stand Your Ground laws are dangerous because they alter the nature of gun violence in a country by encouraging escalation and research shows that they do not deter overall crime.
Gun owners can expect strong opposition to Gaetz’s proposal based on the constant stream of disinformation provided by many such groups. We will continue to monitor this measure as it is voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Personal Defense World published the article Lawmaker Introduces Federal Stand Your Ground Legislation Measure.
