'Stand Your Ground' in the Spotlight

Making News

Egypt's Presidential Race in Turmoil ()

With just two months left before Egypt's much-awaited presidential election, three main contenders have been disqualified by the country's election commission.  Today, they appealed.  David Kirkpatrick is Cairo bureau chief for the New York Times.

Guests:

• David Kirkpatrick: New York Times, @kirkpatricknyt

Main Topic

Is it 'Stand Your Ground' or 'Make My Day?' ()

It used to be that people threatened with violence had a duty to flee, unless they were defending their own homes. The recent Trayvon Martin killing has focused attention on so-called "stand-your-ground" laws, which began in Florida and have spread to 24 other states. Under such laws, anyone who claims to "perceive" a threat has the right to use equal force for protection. New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg says they're creating a nation of vigilantes. Many cops and prosecutors agree. The National Rifle Association supports "stand-your-ground" laws and gun control advocates are losing ground. Despite real dangers in some neighborhoods, is the right to carry a gun being given more value than the right to life?  

NOTE: The NRA declined our invitation to participate in this discussion.

Guests:

• Elizabeth Megale: Barry University, @BarryUniversity
• David LaBahn: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, @APAinc
• Gerald Vernon: Chicago Firearms Safety Association
• Susan Ferriss: Center for Public Integrity, @susanferriss
• Daniel Vice: Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, @bradybuzz

Links:

• Megale on danger of self-defense laws that pair immunity with a presumption of fear
• Association of Prosecuting Attorneys on expansions to the 'Castle Doctrine'
• National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012 (SB 2188)
• Brady Campaign on 'George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Act'
• Respecting States' Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (SB 2213)
• National Rifle Association on SB 2213
• Ferriss on NRA's use of endorsements, campaign cash and political pressure to expand concept of self-defense
• National Institute of Money and State Politics

Reporter's Notebook

Summit of the Americas Highlights US Isolation ()

After the first Western Hemisphere summit since 2009, President Obama and Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos reached agreement on labor rights and a free-trade agreement. But the broader meeting of heads of state produced mixed results, including sharply divided outlooks on drugs and Cuba. Andrés Rozental is a former deputy foreign minister of Mexico, now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.

Guests:

• Andres Rozental: Brookings Institution