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Rubio Expresses Support for Stand Your Ground


July 19th, 2013 | WMFE - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio says he supports Florida's "stand your ground" law. The Florida Republican talked with reporters Friday about the law that's been in the national spotlight during the George Zimmerman case.

Rubio said self-defense is a constitutional right.

"Every law is open for review, but I think we should be reminded that every American has a right to self-defense."

Rubio described "stand your ground" as a state issue, not a federal issue. And he criticized U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for denouncing the Florida law, which is a model for similar measures in more than 20 states.

He said Florida legislators can review the law during their next session but added they shouldn't let a single case interfere with a fundamental right.

Attorneys in Zimmerman's trial did not argue Stand Your Ground explicitly, but it was included in the jury instructions. Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter for shooting Trayvon Martin.

He says he shot the unarmed teenager in self-defense.

 

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