'Stand Your Ground' Issue Heats up before Thursday Hearing

The long-awaited hearing on the controversial Stand Your Ground law will take place on Thursday, and so far Democrats aren't really sure what's going to change as a result of the hearing.

"We don't know what [Republicans] are going to do," House Minority LeaderPerry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, said at a press conference Wednesday. "They are probably going to do not one damn thing."

Rep.Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, has said he would not support changing "one damn comma" of the self-defense law. Gaetz will chair Thursday's hearing.

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee has set aside five hours to hear two Stand Your Ground bills: a proposal that would repeal the law by Rep.Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, and a bipartisan effort to extend Stand Your Ground immunity to people who fire a warning shot.

Meanwhile, the Dream Defenders, who are most known for their month-long protest against the law at the state Capitol, are gearing up for the hearing. The group has taken to their websiteto post a transcript for callers opposing the law.

The transcript reads:

"Hello. My name is [blank]. I'm calling to let Representative [GAETZ/PILON] know my concerns with the Stand Your Ground legislation in advance of the upcoming hearing this Thursday, November 7. Stand Your Ground legislation keeps my community unsafe by encouraging reckless violence. The House must move now to protect our communities from this law. The Senate has already shown leadership on this issue -- the House should too!

Thank you for your time and consideration."