Twenty years ago, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed the first “stand your ground” law, calling it a “good, common-sense, anti-crime issue.” The law’s creators promised it would protect law-abiding citizens ...

As of September 2025, Florida allows open carry and permitless carry, in addition to its stand your ground law. Joe Raedle/Getty Images News Caroline Light, Harvard University Twenty years ago, ...

Twenty years ago, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed the first “Stand Your Ground” law, calling it a “good, common-sense, anti-crime issue.” I’m a historian who has studied the roots of Stand Your Ground ...

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Caroline Light is Senior Lecturer on Studies of Women, ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Caroline Light, Harvard University (THE CONVERSATION) Twenty years ago, Florida Gov.