Stand Your Ground task force meeting

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - On Tuesday, Pensacola residents gave opinions on whether changes should be made to the controversial 'Stand your Ground' law.

Earlier this year, Florida Governor Rick Scott created a task force to explore possible changes to this law, and Nov. 13 the group met in Pensacola.

In February 2012, Florida teenager Trayvon Martin died in a controversial shooting, shedding light on the 'Stand Your Ground' law.

The impact of this incident has reverberated across Florida.

Throughout the year, the Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection has traveled to all corners of the state to hear opinions and suggestions about the law.

One man addressed the panel saying, "We have an old saying in the Marine Corps: ’If it ain't broke, don't fix it.’  Stand Your Ground is not broken."

Another man said, "Offering immunity to people to take other's lives is highly inappropriate, and will lead to problems."

The 'Stand Your Ground' task force is headed by Lt Governor Jennifer Carroll, and includes other prominent state leaders, including Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley. On the panel, Carroll said the group would consider all comments brought before them.

To date, the task force has received more than 11,000 comments about the Stand Your Ground law.

Local resident Larry Sessions said, "I think it's a good law, and I think there wouldn't be any question of the law if it weren't for this hyped-up story (about Trayvon Martin)."

Director of the Second Chance Campaign Ginny Simmons addressed the panel as well. The DC-based organization raises awareness about Stand Your Ground laws.

Simmons said, "Studies out of Texas A&M and Georgia State show that this law increases homicide rates and doesn't deter crime."

After listening to members of the public, the task force got together and discussed possible changes they might need to make to this law.

Tuesday, the panel began work on its report, making tweaks along the way.

Florida State Senator David Sessions said, "We want this to be only available to innocent victims of a crime, not people who are perpetrators of crimes."

Tuesday's gathering was the last public meeting for the task force. Its final report will be given to the Governor before the legislative session begins next year.