8 Florida Republicans Who Helped Pass 'Stand Your Ground' Or Worked To Keep It On The Books

George Zimmerman's legal team didn't ultimately use a defense based on Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground law, but Zimmerman's killing of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin brought the controversial statute to the forefront of national news.

Though Florida already has laws on the books for cases of self-defense, Stand Your Ground went further to remove a person's duty to retreat from an assailant and reaffirmed the use of deadly force in any place the person has a right to be. It was the first law to extend the right to self-defense to firing weapons in public places, according to Mother Jones.

In 2005, all 20 votes against the Stand Your Ground law were cast by House Democrats. "In a few years, you will be back trying to fix this bill," said Rep. Ken Gottlieb (D-Hollywood) during a floor debate, according to the Tampa Bay Times. And he was right. But when Gov. Rick Scott (R) set up a task force to review the law following Martin's death, it was mostly stocked with members unlikely to find fault with the legislation -- including the bill's sponsor and three co-sponsors. (A "shining example of cynical political window dressing," as South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial cartoonist Chan Lowe put it).

Below, check out eight Florida Republicans who helped push through -- and keep unaltered -- Florida's Stand Your Ground law:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/florida-republicans-stand-your-ground_n_3600017.html