As Florida legislators weigh in on repealing Stand Your Ground, and PSAs are released speaking out against it, and groups protest it at the governor's office, and the Internet debates how much of the law actually figured into the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin incident, FAU is going to offer a course teaching it.
Starting Thursdays, the university will offer the course, taught by an assistant public defender, as an elective through its School of Public Administration.
The course's basic question will be, "Do we need the Stand Your Ground Statute?"
The idea for the course, which will be taught by Broward County assistant public defender Frank de la Torre, was, of course, sparked by the Zimmerman-Martin incident, which has brought national attention to the law.
The law as passed in Florida in 2005, and has come under fire since Zimmerman shot Martin, and was acquitted by a jury.
FAU feels like this time is right to have the controversial law taught to students, and to tackle an issue that will be with us Floridians for some time.
"After the enormous publicity associated with the George Zimmerman trial, we felt that such an important and current issue should be offered...," said Richard Mangan, coordinator of the program. "There are approximately 26 states with similar statutes, so the issue has national ramifications."
Specifically, the course will teach "Stand Your Ground" in a comprehensive manner, including how it came to be, how it varies from state to state and how it's different from other self-defense laws.
See also: -Stand Your Ground PSA Reenacts the Night George Zimmerman Shot Trayvon Martin Using 911 Audio -Stand Your Ground Law Repeal Bill Filed by Florida Legislator -Stand Your Ground Laws Increase Homicide Rates, Study Finds
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