#StandWithOhio: Tell Gov. DeWine to Reject Stand Your Ground

"Shoot First, Ask Questions Later. License to Kill. Kill at Will."

Stand Your Ground laws are known by all of these names. Across the U.S. at least 25 states already have Stand Your Ground laws on the books. Unless we act now, Ohio might be next.

The name “Stand Your Ground” begs the question — whose ground? When we look at the murders of Ahmaud Arbery or Trayvon Martin, the answer is clear: These laws embolden reckless gun owners to shoot first, ask questions later, then claim self-defense to avoid being held responsible for killing another individual. They can be used to protect white vigilantism and justify violence against people of color.

Even if you don't live in Ohio, we need to hear your voice now. Join The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence in signing your name to #StandWithOhio and show Gov. DeWine that the entire nation is watching!

Because #BlackLivesMatter. Because this is #OurGround. Because we must #EndGunViolence

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Dear Governor DeWine,

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The entire nation is watching right now, and we are asking you to veto any Stand Your Ground bill that arrives at your desk.

All Stand Your Ground laws are dangerous, but the legislation being considered in Ohio is extreme. It would remove the responsibility to even consider de-escalating or walking away before using a firearm to shoot and kill in public places. This will inevitably turn simple misunderstandings into permanent tragedies.

You showed leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, enacting common-sense precautions to try to prevent the deaths of Ohioans. These principles must also extend to the gun violence epidemic. When evidence shows that a law or policy is likely to put lives at risk, it should be rejected. In this case, the data speaks for itself:

*The American Medical Association found that FL’s implementation of this law led to a 24.4% increase in homicides overall and a 32% increase in firearm-related homicides specifically.
*The American Bar Association found that interracial homicides spiked in the states that had Stand Your Ground laws.
*A study of data from 23 states with Stand Your Ground laws found that white homicide defendants with Black victims were 12 times more likely to have Stand Your Ground ruled in their favor than Black defendants whose victims were white. 
 
Mr. Governor, you may be wondering why the opinions of people from outside of your state should matter. The simple answer is that we believe Ohio would be setting a bad example for the rest of the country at a dangerous time. Perhaps most critically, we are asking you to consider the impact on people of color, particularly Black men. The Stand Your Ground law in Georgia, for instance, has come under intense national scrutiny in the wake of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

When travel returns to normal, people considering going to Ohio — whether to attend college, open a business, or visit as a tourist — will be less likely to visit a state where rates of gun violence are higher and reckless gun owners are empowered to shoot to kill in public.

Gun violence is already a public health crisis, and allowing Stand Your Ground to become law would only encourage its spread. We urge you to reject any Stand Your Ground law that makes it to your desk.

Sincerely, [Your information here]