STAND YOUR GROUND AGAINST BLACKS: AN ANALYSIS OF SELF-DEFENSE LEGISLATION IN THE MODERN ERA

Abstract

This paper examines Stand Your Ground statutes. It attempts to explain the factors that predict adoption of Stand Your Ground by different states, hypothesizing that adoption of the statute is racialized. Tracing the history of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and analyzing the literature surrounding the perception of Blacks as criminal, stereotyping and reasonable racism, develops a framework to analyze Stand Your Ground statutes. Next the adoption of Stand Your Ground in Florida is explored to determine the main reasons for and against adoption in 2005. Data analysis is conducted to produce a model that will predict the likelihood of adoption of Stand Your Ground for each state. Finally, Florida and Maryland are provided as a case study in which to evaluate the model developed in the previous chapter.