PNM HOSTS FIRST STAND YOUR GROUND CONSULTATION

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The People's National Movement has launched its first public consultation on the proposed Stand Your Ground legislation , a law that could give homeowners stronger legal protection when defending themselves against intruders.  Party officials say they want to hear from citizens before taking a final position when the bill reaches Parliament.

Transcript

00:00the people's national movement has kicked off its first stand your ground consultation at city hall

00:05in port of spain the session is the first in a series of national consultations planned for san

00:11fernando central east and tobago as the party gathers public views on the proposed legislation

00:19which forms part of the government's legislative agenda the proposed law would expand protections

00:25for homeowners and occupiers who use forced against intruders however questions remain about

00:32its necessity and how it could impact society as a matter of fact we recognize that in a large measure

00:40stand your ground legislation as it relates to the confines of your home is a little is little more

00:47than a codification of the existing common law position on self-defense including the requirements

00:53of proportionality and reasonableness in the mean the consultation featured legal experts from

01:00within the party offering guidance on how the proposed legislation compares to the current common

01:06law the law which exists for whom for whom occupiers to protect themselves is that the problem or is the

01:14problem one a societal problem or a law enforcement problem all of the all these are things that we

01:21will have to grapple with some cautioned that the proposed legislation should not be seen as a cure

01:28all for crime it is certainly not a silver bullet um i think that there is a significant procedural defect

01:36in it and senior council dollar touched on it at the uh in the absence of the immunity hearing

01:42so i see that that that is a procedural defect i mean the legislation stops short of addressing

01:47what is to happen to the homeowner who who stands your ground so to speak on relying on this legislation

01:53who then finds himself in jail for or herself in jail for a very long time concerns were also raised

01:58about the psychological implications especially in a society already grappling with gun violence and road

02:04reach i'm worried that um despite what the legislation says people are going to people are already solidified in

02:13their minds they have a thought process of what is going to happen once they get the firearms according

02:19to the leader of the opposition the feedback from these consultations will help shape their position

02:25before the proposed stand your ground bill is debated in parliament actual girls 10 tv6 news

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