Thom Hartmann: Zimmerman had the rules of engagement wrong

Florida and 20 other states where the "Stand Your Ground And Shoot First" laws hold are turning America into a battleground. And it's a battleground where the rules of deadly force are even looser than Iraq and Afghanistan. As VoteVets.org points out, American and coalition forces in those countries have very specific things they must do before they can shoot somebody - even somebody they're quite sure is an enemy intent on killing them In states with the Koch-brothers promoted "Stand Your Ground And Shoot First" laws in place, there's no need to shout, no need to show your weapon, no need to try to restrain somebody, no need to fire a warning shot. All you need to do is - to quote the law - feel afraid - and you can shoot somebody dead.

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