Whatever the merits of "Stand Your Ground" laws, they appear to increase
homicides by at least 7%, reports NPR. It cites a Texas A&M study of the
23 states that have enacted "Stand Your Ground" laws since 2005.
Researchers looked at the homicide rate in those states pre- and
post-law, as well as the rates of non-Stand Your Ground states. It
determined between 500 and 700 additional homicides take place annually
as a result. "These laws lower the cost of using lethal force," says
Mark Hoekstra, the economist behind the study. "Our study finds that, as
a result, you get more of it. Homicides go up by 7% to 9% in states that
pass the laws."
http://tinyurl.com/ah9gucl