Mich. Dems Seek Repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' Laws

More than a dozen Democratic Michigan House members have introduced legislation to repeal the state's "stand your ground" self-defense law after the fatal shooting of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

The lawmakers on Thursday announced the measure to repeal 2006 laws passed by bipartisan majorities in the Legislature and signed by then-Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm.
 
Backers say such laws protect innocent lives. Detractors say they can become a license to kill and are prone to misuse.
 
Michigan is among several states with laws similar to Florida's targeted by civil rights and anti-gun violence groups.
 
Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman fatally shot Martin February 28 in Sanford, Florida, but wasn't arrested for weeks. Zimmerman's defense has invoked the law that doesn't require a person to retreat in the face of a serious threat.