Letters: Rush to judgment, law change
Sybrina Fulton, left, wipes her eyes as Tracy Martin looks on during a rally on behalf of the family of shooting victim Trayvon Martin, their son in Los Angeles (April 26, 2012) Credit: AP
Regarding the letter "Guilt, race questions" [April 30], in which the writer questions how George Zimmerman can live with himself when he "took the life of a young man who had his whole life in front of him."
First of all, I suggest that we let justice prevail and conclude whether the shooting was justified or unjustified. If Trayvon Martin was indeed innocent, as many assume he was, then yes, the shooting was a true tragedy and a punishable crime.
But if Zimmerman's life was threatened, and the law agrees that he took legal action to defend himself, then he was in the right.
Second, would the letter writer feel differently if the deceased were a 75-year-old man instead of a young man?
If I were ever in the position where my life or the life of my family was threatened, and I pulled the trigger, I am pretty confident that I would be able to live with myself very well.
Scott Stone, East Meadow
New York's lawmakers should say no to State Sen. George Maziarz's (R-Newfane) bill for a New York version of Florida's "stand your ground" law ["Mayor raps 'stand your ground' laws," News, April 12].
If we changed our criminal laws to a vigilante-style "shoot first, ask questions later" policy, we would see more weapons used on our streets and would place our first responders at greater risk. Growing up as a cop's son, I think this bill should be a nonstarter.
This bill reminds us that politicians love to pander and ride the wave of controversial headlines. All New Yorkers deserve leaders who understand the difference between public safety and sensationalism.
Kevin Brady, Levittown
