Legislative group turns focus amid Martin backlash
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- A conservative organization that helped spread a Florida law that allows people to use deadly force rather than retreat when they feel threatened is abandoning the task force that developed the measure.
The American Legislative Exchange Council's move Tuesday comes as the group has been criticized for the "Stand Your Ground" law. The measure gained notice after the shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watchman.
The group says it will refocus its resources away from its public safety panel and concentrate on economic issues. Several major companies, including Coca-Cola Co. and McDonald's Corp., have said they are no longer financially supporting ALEC.
The group said it did not back the Florida law but did use it to develop model legislation for other states.
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