Criticizing NRA ‘Vigilantism’, Mayor Bloomberg Leads Call To Roll Back ‘Stand Your Ground’

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Criticizing NRA ‘Vigilantism’, Mayor Bloomberg Leads Call To Roll Back ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) launched a national grassroots campaign today aimed at putting an end to laws like the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law that left Trayvon Martin dead and George Zimmerman a free man. At a press conference in Washington, DC, Bloomberg, along with Florida lawmakers and civil rights leaders, called on Florida to repeal ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws (which Bloomberg characterized as ‘Shoot First’ laws) and for other states to repeal or prevent similar Shoot First laws.

Mayor Bloomberg heavily criticized the National Rifle Association for their involvement in passing Shoot First laws, which often immunizes people who feel their life is being threatened if they shoot their perceived assailant:

Florida was the NRA’s first target, and it succeeded in pushing the bill through the legislature over the objections of leading police and law enforcement… In reality, the NRA’s leaders weren’t interested in public safety. They were interesting in promoting a culture where people take the law into their own hands and face no consequences for it. Let’s call that by its real name: Vigilantism.

Watch it:
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/11/462841/bloomberg-stand-your-ground/

Civil rights leaders from the NAACP, National Urban League, VoteVets, and ColorOfChange took up the banner of Mayor Bloomberg’s “Second Chance On Shoot First” push. At the press conference, they stressed the importance of Shoot First repeal and prevention, as well as the need to hold the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) accountable for its role in prioritizing and pushing such laws.

[HockeyMom]

1. He made a good point about self-defense

That exists everywhere and always will. This SYG law seems to be specifically geared to protecting vigilantes with guns.

[ManiacJoe]

9. You need to read the laws, not the newspapers.

[TheWraith]

12. +1. Bloomberg's version bears no resemblence to reality at all.

Of course, that's about par for the course for Bloomberg.

[Egalitarian Thug]

2. How can a billionaire launch a grassroots campaign?

Isn't that called astroturf?

[derby378]

4. I thought he already did

It's called Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

[badtoworse]

3. Bloomberg has no credibility when it comes to SYG or RKBA issues

He does not believe that the citizens of his city have the right to any means of self defense.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Yeah! Let this be the beginning of the roll back of bad Republican ideas.

[FightForChange]

6. At least he's trying

I'm glad at least somebody is willing to stand up and say something. Yea people have a right to defend themselves, but being able to claim "self defense" and walk away free is bull. Remember, if it had been Trayvon claiming self defense, he'd have been sentenced in a heartbeat. No media, no news, no nothing.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. More anti rights craps from a hardcore 1%er repuke

Anyone applauding Bloomie needs to take a long look inward

[randr]

8. After today Zimmerman is no longer a free man

and will, in all likelihood, become a victim of the over zealous NRA himself. Without these laws he would probably not have thought he could get away with the execution of Trayvon. He will be sitting in jail long after the lobbyists who pushed these laws have moved on to other nefarious efforts.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. The backlash cometh.....

...just as night follows day.

The NRA blew this one.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Good for him and the groups that support him.