00:00The San Fernando East MP argues that not a single government member has produced any data showing stand-your-ground laws make communities safer.
00:12MP Brian Manning warns the legislation could escalate confrontations and turn ordinary citizens into casualties, leaving the real victim at even greater risk of being killed.
00:24And it has been proven by the RAND research. U.S. adopting stand-your-ground laws, and this is home invasion, stand-your-ground, experienced a 7% to 10% increase in homicides.
00:37There has been no reduction in burglary or assault. Studies show these laws did not reduce burglary, robbery or aggravated assault rates.
00:45Disproportionate impact analysis highlights racial disparities. Defenders are more likely to be acquitted when the victim is black.
00:54An escalation of violence. Evidence suggests that instead of encouraging de-escalation, these laws increase the likelihood of lethal outcomes.
01:02An article in the Express newspaper, dated May 3rd, 2023, shows that even the now House Speaker had raised serious concerns about the legislation.
01:13In my respectful view, the common law in relation to self-defense has at its heart the underlying fundamental notion of the stand-your-ground principle,
01:25whilst labelling this discrete principle of the common law with a sensational banner is somewhat attractive.
01:31It must not be forgotten that the common law of self-defense already offers the same degree of protection to persons and homeowners than a separate stand-your-ground legislative provision would provide.
01:45In short, there is no need for new legislation.
01:48Today, Manning is doubling down, saying the PNM will not support any bill that, in his view, fuels confrontation and promotes violence.
02:14That is what this bill has been proven to promote. More and more violence, more and more violent outcomes and interactions between persons.
02:23And this is something that we just cannot support in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:27We, on the opposition side, we are prepared to support any piece of legislation or any initiative that we believe will reduce crime.
02:36But we think that this is a document that is simply designed to cover and hide the failures of this current government.
02:42Manning argues that real crime reduction comes from certainty of punishment, not harsher threats.
02:50He stresses that the national security ministers must step up, and that the country's security forces need the tools, training and support to confront criminals head-on.
03:03Reducing crime in this country is going to call for better policing.
03:07It's going to take some time, it's going to take some hard work.
03:09It's also going to call for creating more opportunity for vulnerable people in this country, not shutting down youth programs, not building more prisons.
03:19Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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