N.Y. mayor starts effort to end ‘shoot first’ laws

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a national campaign against gun laws that he said “justify civilian gun play.”

Bloomberg was joined by the leaders from the NAACP, National Urban League and other groups Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., as he announced “Second Chance on Shoot First.”

The campaign aims to repeal or reform the laws that eliminated a person’s duty to retreat when threatened with serious bodily harm or death. These laws have passed in 25 states.

Bloomberg said these laws undermine the integrity of the justice system, threaten public safety and make it more difficult to prosecute shooters.

The grassroots campaign will contact state legislators who have passed what he terms “shoot first” laws, produce education material for the public and create model legislation.

“The tragic death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., touched a nerve all across this country,” Bloomberg said. “I believe we all have a responsibility to investigate the meaning of this terrible event for our nation and then to take action.”

Associated Press