TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A controversial proposal to shift the burden of proof in 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense cases has been refiled in the Florida Senate.
The bill would shift the burden of proof to prosecutors during evidentiary hearings in self-defense cases.
The bill stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the 'Stand Your Ground' law.
In 'Stand Your Ground' cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
Republican Senator Rob Bradley filed the measure for the 2017 legislative session, which starts in March.
"Most Floridians intuitively understand that, in a criminal case, the burden of proof is on the government," said Bradley. "So, this bill insures that that fundamental premise that is guaranteed in the constitution has life."
The same proposal passed the senate during the 2016 session but failed to get to the house floor.
Bradley's bill joins other gun-related measures filed for the 2017 session, including one that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns while on college and university campuses, and would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to bring guns into the passenger terminals of airports.
