Marco Island gun shop owners grateful for 'stand your ground' law

By Katie Jones

CREATED Feb. 22, 2013

  • Print

  • SWFL gun shop owners support stand your ground law Video by fox4now.com

    video

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.-

Your right to defend you and your family is upheld. Friday, a Florida task force agreed not to overturn the Stand Your Ground law which says you can use force in self defense, against a threat. One Southwest Florida gun shop owner said the law could save your life. Former New York Police officer and part owner Ed D'Alessandro said he's grateful the state task force defended the law. 

The task force formed after 17 year old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed last year by neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman. Zimmerman now faces second degree murder charges for the shooting. He is using the stand your ground law as his defense, saying he was protecting himself from an attack by Martin. Ed said Zimmerman's story makes sense.

"Often there are times where running away can't be the answer because you'll simply as they say, die tired." D'Alessandro said.

Ed said in general, in a life or death situation, a gun could save your life.

"The whole time the encounter may last less than four seconds. You don't have time to run away so by giving them the right to stand their ground, you're giving them the ability to defend themselves." D'Alessandro said.
But before you shoot, Ed said you need to think.
 
"Yes you can stand your ground but it is better sometimes to flee or avoid the potential. Don't put yourself in a position where you're going to have to defend yourself." D'Alessandro said.
 
And, make sure you under stand the law. 
 
"It is easy to get a concealed weapon permit without actually learning the law. But, if you don't know the law you don't know when is the proper time to engage in deadly force." D'Alessandro said.