Gov. Deal Says No Reason to Change GA ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law

Listen to an audio version of this story.

Georgia’s “stand your ground” law passed in 2006.

The law says a person may use deadly force when threatened and “has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground.”

In the wake of the Zimmerman verdict, Governor Nathan Deal says he sees nothing wrong with Georgia’s law.

“I do not see anything out of the ordinary in terms of that statute,” Deal told reporters. “It is very similar to the statute in other states, including the state of Florida.” 

But Deal says he expects the issue to be brought up in the next legislative session.

“I anticipate someone may require that at least a committee  look at the statute,”

 Deal says. “I do not see any reason to change it, but, there again, that is the will of the General Assembly that will prevail on that issue.”

In 2012, two Georgia Democrats introduced legislation trying to repeal the law after the death of Trayvon Martin.

A federal lawsuit was also filed against the state last year, claiming the law was vague and violated the rights of minorities. It was later dismissed by the court.