Democratic Lawmaker Says 'Stand Your Ground' Laws Benefit Black Defendants

Rep. Todd Rutherford

 A federal civil rights commission evaluating racial disparities in the "stand your ground" laws is being told that they benefit whites more than blacks, are unnecessary and cause minority men to live in fear.

That's the opinion of several experts who spoke Friday before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Orlando, Florida.

But an African-American Democratic lawmaker from South Carolina dissented. Rep. Todd Rutherford said the law benefits black defendants by putting placing an extra hurdle before arrest by police officers who may have racial biases.

"Stand-your-ground" laws provide that individuals have no duty to retreat from any place they may rightfully be and may use any level of force, including lethal, if they reasonably believe they face an imminent and immediate threat of serious bodily harm or death.

Isaiah 36:6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.

Isaiah 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: