Statement on Stand Your Ground Repeal Bill from Georgia Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action

The Georgia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s volunteer networks, today applauded Georgia lawmakers, including lead sponsors Rep. Bee Nguyen and Sen. Nikema Williams, for introducing HB 1190 and SB 515, which would repeal Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law. 

“Stand Your Ground laws contribute to the codified racism and white supremacy that have devastated Black communities in Georgia,” said Jacqueline Azah, a volunteer with Students Demand Action at Clark Atlanta University. “This has no place in our state, and we’re glad that our lawmakers are taking action to get rid of this hate-fueling law.”

“Stand Your Ground laws are inherently racist and further a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ culture that only leads to more gun deaths,” said Courtney Spriggs, volunteer leader with the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our lawmakers should schedule hearings on these bills this session, so we can quickly get this law off of our books.”

Georgia is one of the 26 states with a Stand Your Ground law. Stand Your Ground laws are associated with clear increases in gun homicides and encourage violence. When white shooters kill Black victims, the resulting homicides are deemed justifiable 11 times more frequently than when the shooter is Black and the victim is white. 

To date, nearly 2,000 Georgians have signed Everytown’s petition calling on lawmakers to repeal Stand Your Ground legislation. More information about Stand Your Ground laws is available here.