Matt Damon urges Florida lawmakers to reconsider self-defence law

Actor Matt Damon has urged Florida lawmakers to reconsider their positions on the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground self-defence law. The law allows an individual to use deadly force if they believe their safety is under threat and it hit headlines last year (12) when neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Zimmerman was acquitted of the youngster’s murder in a controversial verdict last month (Jul13) and the decision sparked a wave of protests across the U.S.
The Bourne Identity actor has now become the latest star to weigh in on the case, insisting lawmakers need to take a stand to discourage any kind of vigilantism.
In an interview with BET.com, he says, “The Stand Your Ground law, I hope that they would revisit that. I lived in Florida for five years. We can’t have a world where people are putting guns in their pockets and walking around thinking that they’re the neighbourhood watch. We have a police force for that, we should leave the novices at home.”
Rappers Rick Ross and T.I. have both spoken out to voice their concerns over the controversial law, while Jay Z and Beyonce recently joined a protest on the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the Zimmerman trial verdict.