Nan Rich Calls for Change to 'Stand Your Ground' Laws

Trying to catch former Gov. Charlie Crist in the battle for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich ramped up her opposition to Floridas Stand Your Ground law this week. Despite Crist spending most of his politcal career as a Republican, Crist has a strong lead over Rich in the Democratic primary, according to the polls.

The sad reality is that laws intended to make Floridians safer are, in fact, making us less safe, Rich said on Tuesday. Our state shouldnt be a place where people are afraid that every parking lot argument could end in gunfire.

Rich pointed to the recent Trayvon Martin and Michael Dunn cases as reasons why the law needed to be changed.

Twice in two years, unarmed teenagers have been killed and their shooters have been acquitted. There is clearly a problem with the law, said Rich. Imagining you are in danger simply cant be a justification for using deadly force. The law simply isnt working, and the time has come to change it.

Rich also called for more gun control, arguing it was time for Florida to crack down on the purchases of firearms at gun shows and run universal background checks on anyone who tries to buy a gun.