Study: NRA-backed “Stand Your Ground” Laws Increase Murder Rates

Controversial “stand your ground” laws, which encourage homeowners to defend their property with weapons, have increased murder and manslaughter rates.

NRA’s Wayne LaPierre

A new study from Texas A&M University finds that in states with “stand your ground” laws, murders went up — contradicting the claim from supporters that these laws help to fight crime. Researchers found states with the laws had between 7% to 9% increases in murder, while states without the legislation had no increase.

Researchers found that stand your ground laws “do not appear to offer any hidden spillover benefit to society at large.”

“Stand your ground” has been a major project of the NRA, passed into law in several states through the use of “model” legislation — legislation written by outside groups like the conservative ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) and introduced into state legislatures.

George Zimmerman, the man accused of murdering Florida teen Trayvon Martin, may use Florida’s “stand your ground” law as his defense in his trial.