Barack Obama Co-Sponsored a "Stand Your Ground" bill as a Senator in Illinois-Truth!

Barack Obama Co-Sponsored a “Stand Your Ground” bill as a Senator in Illinois-Truth!

Summary of eRumor:

This is a Facebook posting that alleged that President Obama, while serving in the Illinois State Senate, co-sponsored a “stand your ground” bill.
 

The Truth:

According to a July 22, 2013 article by the Washington Times, then Senator Barack Obama co-sponsored SB-2386 that amended the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961.  

The text of the bill said, “Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another. Effective immediately.”

“Stand your ground laws” exist in 22 U.S. states and have become controversial after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman.  Zimmerman was charged with the second degree murder of Trayvon Martin after an altercation on the streets of Sanford, Florida on February 26, 2012.

The Facebook post appeared on the fan page of ForAmerica, a traditional values group chaired by L. Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center.

Posted 7/24/13