A new poll from Quinnipiac University suggests 53-percent of Americans support the "Stand Your Ground" law that came under heavy scrutiny during the murder trial of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
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In Florida, where Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, a citizen who feels his or her life is in imminent danger may use deadly force against their attacker. George Zimmerman claimed self-defense in his trial saying that 17-year-old Martin attacked Zimmerman. However, Zimmerman's defense attorneys did not use "Stand Your Ground" to try and get their client acquitted.
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Despite not using the law "Stand Your Ground" came under fire by the media and the prosecution in the Zimmerman case. Celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Madonna have refused to perform in any state with a "Stand Your Ground" law. Even President Obama, who made a surprising speech after Zimmerman was found not guilty, said he would look into the controversial law.
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According to the Washington Post, 30 states have a "Stand Your Ground" law in one form or another. The poll by Quinnipiac University splits the debate over the law into man versus woman, white versus black and republican versus democrat.
According to the poll white voters support "Stand Your Ground" 57-37 over black voters who are opposed 57-37 percent. Republicans support the law 75-19 percent. Democrats oppose "Stand Your Ground" 62-32 percent. Men support the law 62-34 percent and women are divided with 44 percent in favor and 47 percent against.
"'Stand Your Ground' splits the country sharply along political, gender and racial lines," said Peter A. Brown the assistant director of the Polling Institute at Quinnipiac University in the official statement announcing the results.
With these kinds of numbers, it's unlikely the movement to repeal 'Stand Your Ground' will be successful in most of the country," Brown added.
The George Zimmerman trial split the country in half with some believing Martin was shot in self-defense and others calling his death an act of racial profiling. Following Zimmerman's not guilty verdict riots broke out and a Hispanic man from Baltimore was beaten up by a group of teens who yelled "This is for Trayvon."
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