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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In Florida Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the state capitol, demanding changes in the Stand Your Ground law. The law allows a person to use deadly force to defend himself, even if retreat is possible.

Florida state Rep. Matt Gaetz

CBS News

"In Florida, we believe in robust self-defense laws, it's worked. It's created a 42-year crime low," said state Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz pointed to the case of Marissa Alexander. She was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot at her abusive husband.

"I'm more interested in closing a loophole where someone would be punished more for missing with a bullet than they would be for striking someone with a bullet in a self-defense circumstance," Gaetz said.

Eleven states are considering bills to adopt or strengthen Stand Your Ground laws, but 12 states are deciding whether to weaken or repeal them.

Sybrina Fulton

CBS News

"I feel like there's no justice in Stand Your Ground law," Fulton told CBS News.

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Fla. looks to expand controversial Stand Your Ground law ...

Karl Etters, Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat 4:24 p.m. EDT March 10, 2014

The Rev. Al Sharpton addresses a rally on March 10, 2014, in Tallahassee, Fla. Sharpton, the parents of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis and hundreds of others marched about a mile to Florida's Capitol against the state's stand your ground law.(Photo: Glenn Beil, Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Hundreds of marchers joined the parents of slain black teens Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin and the Rev. Al Sharpton to call Monday for changes to Florida's stand your ground law.

Also walking from the Leon County Civic Center to the Florida Capitol less than a mile away was the family of Marissa Alexander, who was sentenced to 20 years for firing a gun in the direction of her estranged husband.

Florida law gives people who are not involved in illegal activity the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it's necessary to avoid death or great bodily harm.

"It's a flawed law because you don't need an actual threat," Sharpton said. "All you've got to do is believe a threat and you can use deadly force."

VIDEO: How often are guns used in self-defense? STORY: Self-defense argument at center of gun debate

Those looking for change have been adamant that self-defense laws have been used against minorities disproportionately. They believe that force should be used only after all other options have been exhausted.

In the past year:

Stephen Proctor, a Tallahassee Community College student, walks March 10, 2013, to the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee to rally against the state's stand your ground law.(Photo: Phil Sears, AP)

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Protesters press for changes in stand your ground law

Floridas Stand Your Ground law is facing more protests and backlash than ever as the two year anniversary of Trayvon Martins death passes. Trayvons mother, Sybrina Fulton, recently spoke with CBS about her views on this controversial law.

We dont have to have a law in place that says, I need to shoot and kill someone and then ask questions later [we're] going to make positive change to make sure that stand your ground doesnt continue to happen, she says in the interview. The Stand Your Ground law allows citizens the right to use deadly force to defend themselves without any other requirement. Trayvon was unarmed when shot by George Zimmerman in February 2012. Zimmerman claimed it was self-defense and cited the Stand Your Ground law to justify his actions.

Despite the protest, Florida lawmakers are ready to expand on the law, not repeal it. Two bills are currently in consideration that would let citizens who are in fear of their life to fire a warning shot first. Bill sponsors, however, dont see it as an extension of the law, but instead as a clarification. CBS claims that its likely that Rick Scott, Floridas governor, will sign the bill into law.

Lucia McBath, another Florida mother who lost a son to a gunmen claiming self defense, says inclusion of warning shots in the law is heinous. More lives are at risk, more people will shoot their guns and claim, Well, it was just a warning shot, she says.

Trayvons mother Sybrina has also been active nationwide against gun violence, recently speaking out about profiling against children. If it happened to Trayvon, it can happen to other kids as well. We have work to do we have to stay busy, vigilant on trying to solve this issue, she spoke at a Milwaulke Technical College in a keynote address.

What do you think of Floridas law? Do you agree with Stand Your Ground? Respond and let us know!

Image via News Distribution Network

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