The Pinellas County Commission took a stand Tuesday on Florida "stand your ground" law.
The panel unanimously passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to clarify, and even consider changing parts of the controversial law.
RELATED: Democrats, Pinellas commissioners push for special session on Florida's 'stand your ground' law
“We all know it’s been a difficult last few weeks in our community,“ said Commission Chairman Ken Welch.
Welch was asking his fellow board members to send a message to Tallahassee.
“I just think it’s important that we, as the governing body of this county, make a statement," Welch said. "This happened in our community, and we want the legislature to address it."
The resolution stems from the July 19 shooting death of Markeis McGlockton at the hands of Michael Drejka outside the Circle A market in Clearwater.
“And I think there are so many gray areas that you just - I think clarity in all of this is very important,“ said Pinellas County commissioner Dave Eggers.
Since the shooting, Florida’s "stand your ground" defense law has allowed Drejka to remain a free man for now.
There have been protests, marches and worldwide attention focused on Pinellas County.
“It truly doesn’t send a very good message to our visitors from abroad or anywhere else in the world when they read and hear about these kinds of things,“ said Commissioner Janet Long.
The resolution itself supports the call for a special legislative session to re-examine and possibly change Florida’s "stand your ground" law. It also calls upon the state legislature to clarify what "stand your ground" was intended to do.
Further, the resolution encourages lawmakers to remove "stand your ground" protection for people who intentionally provoke a confrontation - then respond disproportionately with the use of deadly force.
“And I think it’s completely reasonable for us to make this request to the legislature,“ said Commissioner Charlie Justice.
The resolution is just that. It doesn’t have any legal teeth, and it doesn’t change any local laws.
However, it does add Pinellas County’s voice to a growing chorus of those asking the state legislature to revisit the "stand your ground" law.
Since the shooting happened in Pinellas County, commissioners hope that state lawmakers hear their voice.
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