One of the most lethal gun laws in America, the stand-your-ground law, has a troubling past rooted in systemic racism and the abundance of firearms.
The incidents often rely on laws governing self-defence, such as the "castle doctrine" principle and "stand your ground" laws. It allows individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves in their homes and on their land against intruders.
Trayvon Martin and Ralph Yarl's story is unlikely to be the last. If no action is taken, the number of shootings will continue to grow in Black and Brown communities, resulting in the needless deaths of young people.
