TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A push to change Florida's contentious "stand your ground" law may be dead for the coming year.
A Florida House panel on Tuesday narrowly voted against a measure sponsored by Rep. Dennis Baxley that would change the law.
The Ocala Republican wanted to require that prosecutors prove a defendant was not acting in self-defense when that person is asking for immunity. Baxley said the change was needed to respond to recent court rulings.
The National Rifle Association backed the bill (HB 169) but it was opposed by Florida's prosecuting attorneys.
Florida's "stand your ground" law allows the use of deadly force if someone believes their life is in jeopardy.
Rep. Carlos Trujillo, the chairman of the House Criminal Justice subcommittee, said he supported the current law but he could not go along with the bill.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
