【听新闻练听力】The "Stand Your Ground" law

>> the controversy over the trayvon martin shooting has focused new attention oba florida law called " stand your ground." nearly half of the states in the country have similar laws of their own on the books. tonight, some of them are getting a closer look. our report from our justice correspondent, pete williams.

>> reporter: the florida law at the center of a civil rights tempest was born in the after' math of a hurricane, after ivan in 2004, a pensacola man who shot a looter at his house, waited months before learning high wouldn't be prosecute said. nat prompted the ledgislature that allowed florida the first to allow homeowners to use deadly force. it was extend ed anywhere a person has the rights to be. one of the spaunonsors said it was never meant to apply to someone who chases someone else.

>> i don't want to make the mistake of removing protections for law abiding citizens, that we will stand by them and protect them.

>> people can use deadly force if they reasonably fear for their safety. it does away with the usual rule that people who are threatened have a duty to retreat if they can, and florida's law goes one step further, allowing deadly force to stop a serious crime including robbery or burglary of anyone's property.

>> the common law allowed you to use force to defend yourself or your home. it's called the " stand your ground" law but it's really stand someone else's ground law.

>> 19 other states have similar laws, allowing the use of deadly force outside a home of business. they encourage violent behavior.

>> based on fear and paranoia and the idea of shoot first and ask question later, and vigilantes protecting themselves themselves, and this is a law that encourages that.

>> now they're inspecting the law. pete williams, nbc news, washington.