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'Stand your ground' laws faulted by Sens. Warren and Markey

'Stand your ground' laws: Massachusetts Democrat Warren said the goal should be to create a country 'not just where some of us are safe, but where all of our children are safe.'

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Elise Amendola/AP
Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren celebrate Markey's victory in a primary in Boston, in April.
  • By Associated Press

| BOSTON

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is questioning the wisdom of so-called "stand your ground" lawsfollowing the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.

Asked if Zimmerman should face federal civil rights charges in the death of Martin, who was black, Warren said the Justice Department is considering the question, but the jury has spoken.

The Massachusetts Democrat said the goal should be to create a country "not just where some of us are safe, but where all of our children are safe."

Fellow Democratic Sen. Edward Markey questioned whether the laws might embolden someone who is armed to pursue an unarmed individual and then fire if that person turns to confront them.

He said it's time to start "paring back" the laws.

Massachusetts doesn't have a stand your ground law.

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