Ohio's 'stand your ground' law takes effect Tuesday.
“Shoot first laws are already in place in other states and have proven to disproportionately harm Black people and increase homicide rates," House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said. "Ohio's new shoot first law will threaten more Black lives and ultimately make us all less safe."
That's why Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, is working with community leaders in his district to explain how the new law works.
"In my district, we’ve seen a large number of shootings and violence. I think about the increased number of incidents that are likely to happen now," he said. "I want to make sure my constituents understand the magnitude of this legislation on their lives."
"Perception is power," Jarrells added. And the way people perceive stand your ground laws — even if it's incorrect — can have fatal consequences.
Michael Drejka, of Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in prison even though he claimed he stood his ground when he shot Markeis McGlockton over a parking space in 2018.
Justice may have been served in that case, Jarrells said. But McGlockton's four children are still going to grow up without a father.
"People don’t understand the specifics of stand your ground. They just hear the words and take a meaning from them," Jarrells said. "We are creating a space where the perception of this law could lead to violence.”
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/04/04/ohio-stand-your-ground-law-starts-tuesday/4834416001/
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