PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Stand Your Ground' Bill Still Moving In Senate

Despite appearing to die in the House, a proposal that would change the burden of proof in "stand your ground" self-defense cases is slated to go to the Senate Rules Committee this week.

If approved by the committee during a meeting Thursday, the bill (SB 344), sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, would be ready to go to the full Senate when the 2016 legislative session starts in January.

The issue stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling that said people who use the "stand your ground" defense have the burden of showing they should be shielded from prosecution. The legislation, backed by the National Rifle Association, would shift the burden of proof to the state in "stand your ground" cases.

A House version of the bill (HB 169), filed by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, was defeated Nov. 17 in a 6-6 vote in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. But after that vote, Bradley said "everything is in play" until the end of the legislative session.

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit .

News Service of Florida
Related Content
  1. Senate Advancing Bill To Change 'Stand Your Ground' Law
  2. After Supreme Court Ruling, Will Lawmakers Revisit Tweaking Stand Your Ground Law?