Erstellt am: 21. 3. 2012 - 16:10 Uhr

Self defence or the rule of the gun?

Reality Check: Florida shooting - when is deadly force warranted? France police standoff, Iraq bombs ahead of Arab League summit, Swiss nuclear debate, Greek taxes

Florida vigilante kills teenager

I imagine that anyone reading this has, at some point in their lives, had that uncomfortable feeling that they are being followed, or that they are under threat. It might not be anything very specific, just a feeling that someone around may not have your best interests at heart and that they could, potentially, be violent. Does that give you the right to shoot them? Most people would say most definitely not, but in Florida, the self defence laws allow you to use deadly force against someone you think is threatening you with death or serious harm.

Obviously, this presents a very large problem: what constitutes a threat? Do they have to have pulled a gun on you first (in which case it may be a bit late to use your right to deadly force) or is it sufficient if they just look rather dodgy (in which case they might be someone innocently going about their business, but dressed in a way you associate with anti-social behaviour and therefore find threatening).

The latter would appear to be the case in the killing of 17 year old Travyon Martin. Travyvon Martin is black. He was unarmed, and walking home from a convenience store, talking to his girl friend on his cell phone, when he was accosted, shot and killed by neighbourhood watch leader, George Zimmerman, who says Martin threatened him. Zimmerman was not arrested or charged, but now after widespread civil rights protests, police are investigating.

Joanna Bostock spoke to Ladd Everitt, a spokesman for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, about the movement to get the law changed.

France shooting

Following the shooting of 4 people at a Jewish school in Toulouse, and 3 other killings believed to be committed by the same gunman, terrorism expert MJ Gohel looks at the groups looks at the groups the man claims to be connected to.

Iraq bomb attacks cast a shadow over Arab League summit

Regional expert, Rosemary Hollis, looks at the impact and significance of the recent wave of bombings in Iraq and what they mean for the future stability of the country. The government had been hoping that the Arab League Summit in Baghdad next week would mark Iraq's return to the international stage as a stable and peaceful partner. The latest string of attacks show this is clearly not the case.

Swiss nuclear plant debate

The Mühleberg nuclear power plant near Berne is coming under heavy criticism for its poor state or repair and inadequete safety measures. Global 2000 explains the risks the plant poses.

The mood in Greece

As Greece struggles to come to grips with the austerity measures and look ahead to elections, Emmanuel Sigalas looks at the mood among people on the streets.

FM4 Reality Check

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