There are 42 states with “Stand Your Ground” laws on the books but on Thursday, South Carolina’s Black Legislative Caucus along with a coalition of clergy and former law enforcement officers offered legislation to rewrite certain aspects of that state’s “Stand Your Ground” statute.
State representative Harold Mitchell (D-SC) who chairs the Black Legislative Caucus appeared on The Reid Report Friday, where he told host Joy-Ann Reid that efforts are underway to remove “Have no duty to retreat” and “Meet Force With Force” from the language of South Carolina’s law. He said the law faces a tough uphill battle from the far right and the Tea Party, so the fight will not be easy.
In fact, he told Ms. Reid that he has already been threatened, told by some not to come on their property unless he wanted to learn first hand their views on “Stand Your Ground.” But the need to review such laws us urgent. Florida implemented its “Stand Your Ground” law in 2005, followed by 200 gun deaths in the following two years.
You can view Joy Ann Reid’s interview with State Representative Harold Mitchell right here.
And tune in to The Reid Report weekdays, 2pm eastern time.