THE FLORIDA LAW TOOK EFFECT IN 2005. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE TAMPA BAY
TIMES SAID THAT REPORTS OF JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE ACROSS THE STATE HAD
TRIPLED. THE NEWSPAPER FOUND CASES IN WHICH THE PROTECTION OF STAND
YOUR GROUND HAD BEEN INVOKED BY PERSONS WHO FELT — PERHAPS WITH GOOD
REASON, PERHAPS NOT — THAT THEY FACED IMMINENT ATTACK IN THEIR HOMES.
THOSE INCIDENTS WERE AT LEAST IN KEEPING WITH THE INTENT OF THE
LEGISLATION. BUT THE NEWSPAPER ALSO FOUND THE LAW BEING USED TO
EXCUSE
VIOLENCE COMMITTED DURING FIGHTS AT HOUSE PARTIES, DISPUTES BETWEEN
NEIGHBORS AND DISAGREEMENTS IN PUBLIC PARKS.
“GANGSTERS ARE USING THIS LAW TO HAVE GUNFIGHTS,” STATE’S ATTORNEY
WILLIE MEGGS TOLD THE TIMES.