I shall stand up no more forever

Now that Sybrina Fulton - mother of deceased Arizona Iced Tea drinking, Skittle-eating, hoodie-wearing Trayvon Martin - has testified on Capitol Hill that states' 'Stand Your Ground' laws don't work and should be changed, I am turning over a new leaf.  On account of the high regard I hold for Ms. Fulton as a recognized expert in criminal justice and constitutional law, I am going to make a pointed effort to buy a dozen daisies every day at the Kroger, and place them in the barrels of passing Open Carry Texas demonstrators' rifles and shotguns.

Oh, and I'm also gonna sing kumbaya to my dog each night before bedtime.

Since I've vented my sarcasm, I'll be more serious.

Trayvon Martin wasn't the angel most in the media made him out to be - but neither was he public enemy #1 as many character assassins attempted to portray him.  He was, likely, a fairly typical 21st century teen.  He didn't deserve to die, but he did make a tragically dumb mistake.  It's not fair, but mistakes can be terribly unforgiving.

If I were wearing dark, concealing clothing, and traipsing between buildings in Southlake Town Square, shotgun houses in Polytechnic Heights, or mansions in Westover Hills, and was confronted by a homeowner, rent-a-cop, or police officer, it would be in my best interest to comply with the person, no matter my level of righteous indignation at being accosted.  Trayvon instead chose to punch Mr. Zimmerman.

Eliminating 'Stand Your Ground' laws won't bring back Ms. Fulton's son, and would be a step in the wrong direction, as it's every individual's inalienable right to self defense.

Where Trayvon's mother could more effectively direct her efforts would be campaigning for additional Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) content in states' firearm carry courses, and in criminal justice contexts.  I have taken CHL training that emphasized when a permit holder may lawfully discharge his firearm.  And I've taken instruction underscoring the preference for preventing situations that would require shots to be fired.  As a resolute 2A supporter and ardent champion of the right to self defense (and of others), my preference is for the latter.