GOP says no to special session for 'stand your ground'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – At the National Legislative Summit in Atlanta, Republican members of the state legislative said they are voting 'no' on calling a special "stand your ground" session.

A letter went out to every state lawmaker, asking if they want a special legislative session on stand your ground law.

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Now, a state House committee will hold a half a day hearing in September or October.

It was triggered by 33 Democrats who asked for the poll. One of them was Rep. Gwendolyn Clark-Reed of Deerfield Beach.

"Whatever it takes to get this openly discussed is what I'm looking for," said Clark-Reed.

For the session to actually take place, 96 lawmakers must say yes. That would take all the Democrats and 32 Republicans.

At the national legislative summit, the original sponsor of stand your ground calls the session request premature.

"I think it's short sided to be doing it. I absolutely opposed to special session," said Rep. Dennis Baxley, of Ocala. "My history is that special sessions don't work unless you have a pretty much worked out agreement."

And Rep. Clay Ingram of Pensacola said he doesn't want to change a thing.

"It just can't be argued with, to defend yourself and your person," said Ingram. "So I don't even see the need to open that up."

The Dream Defenders, who are still staging a sit-in at the governor's office, don't seem surprised.

While stand your ground is a political hot potato in Florida, at the four day National Legislative Summit in Atlanta, there is not one hearing or meeting scheduled.

Twenty-one other states have similar a law.