‘Stand your ground’ is not an excuse to kill

LETTERS

As a holder of a concealed-carry permit, I disagree with the defense in the recent shooting of Markeis McGlockton in Clearwater, Florida, over a handicapped parking spot. As part of the requirement to qualify for the permit, some fairly rigorous education by qualified individuals must take place. In the course I took, we were told that “stand your ground” must be “defense in kind.” If someone pushes you, you get to push back. You must be faced with “deadly force” to respond with “deadly force.” In addition, the shooter cannot have acted in any way to provoke the confrontation. Based on the video that is circulating, shooter Michael Drejka was clearly not in danger of losing his life when he chose to take a life and I think that Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri needs some education on the subject of “stand your ground”. The education given to most “concealed carry” individuals is intended to make them less likely to use deadly force.

Brad Skiba

DeWitt, Mich.

FACEBOOK USA TODAY OPINION

The man in the parking lot (Michael Drejka) was assaulted, thrown to the ground. He was in no position to run away. His choice was to shoot his attacker or not to. He did not have the choice to run away.

Under normal laws of self-defense, his decision to shoot was illegal. You may not use deadly force unless you face an “imminent” threat of death or severe bodily harm. Drejka’s assailant was just standing there, a few feet away. The attack was over. You may not shoot because of a threat you faced a second or two ago, only for an active threat.

The man on the ground shot illegally. However, a jury could acquit him because of the circumstances.

David Swain

Seems like Drejka was a gun nut who was hoping a situation would escalate so he would have an excuse to shoot someone. Sean Gardner