According to a new Quinnipiac poll, Americans fairly strongly support “Stand Your Ground” self defense laws.
The poll found that 53% of those surveyed support such laws, while only 40% directly oppose the laws.
Males were much more likely to support the laws than females. Whites were more likely than African-Americans to support the law (this one is interesting as a recent study in Florida found that far more African-Americans have used the law as a successful criminal defense than white Floridians). Republicans and Independents were more likely to support the laws than Democrats. Gun owners were overwhelmingly more like to support the laws than non gun owners.
The poll results are very recent, being conducted between July 28 and 31st.
Stand your ground laws have become a point of debate recently following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin. Some feel the mere existence of the law encouraged Zimmerman to act boldly. However, Zimmerman’s attorney’s did not argue a stand your ground defense in court, some aspects of the law were included in the jury instructions.
Martin’s family, Attorney General Eric Holder, and even President Obama have spoken out against the laws following the verdict.
While there are some calls to repeal Florida’s stand your ground law, the governor’s office and legal analysts say that is unlikely to happen.
Several dozen states have stand your ground laws, castle doctrine laws, or rely on case law that is similar to stand your ground laws.