After a 10-day trial and approximately 4.5 hours of deliberation, a Florida jury today found Michael Dunn guilty of first degree murder for killing Jordan Davis, an unarmed 17-year-old, with a gun in November 2012. An Everytown analysis of Stand Your Ground laws found that in states with these types of laws, justifiable homicide rates increased by 53 percent, while they decreased by 5 percent in states without these laws. The National Rifle Association has advocated for these types of laws, also known as “Shoot First” laws, in states across the country.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the below statements today following the jury’s guilty verdict. Lucia McBath, Jordan Davis’ mother, is a spokeswoman for Moms Demand Action.
Statement from Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America:
“Our hearts are with Jordan’s family, who will never be able to watch Jordan grow up. While justice has finally been served in this case, American mothers have had enough. This tragic case shines a light on the fact that these ‘shoot first’ laws put our children, families, and communities at risk — and particularly target communities of color. They give everyday, untrained citizens more leeway to shoot than the United States military gives soldiers in war zones. Moms across America stand our ground for children like Jordan Davis and that is why we are fighting our country’s insidious gun lobby, which pushed to pass ‘shoot first’ laws in state after state.”
Statement from Chryl Anderson, Florida Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America:
“No verdict can fill the absence left by Jordan’s death, but I am glad that justice was served. I knew Jordan and he was a really good kid. He had friends and family who adored him, a knack for making everyone laugh and a great heart that was notorious for bringing people together. From Trayvon, to Jordan, to the tragic shooting of a woman and her six children last month, Florida has a serious problem with gun violence. It is time for all of us to work together to put an end to it.”
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created to build support for common-sense gun reforms. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and is part of Everytown for Gun Safety along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2 million supporters including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for reforms that respect the Second Amendment and protect people. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand