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Here’s a case that proves a controversial self-defense law is flawed, dangerous and extremely unfair.

Florida teenager Tyron Pierson, 17, shot and killed 40-year-old choir director Julius Jerome Jacob after an argument over alleged speeding on July 5. Authorities say the teen shot Jacobs in the head – and under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, he will not face homicide charges.

Witnesses say Jacob was holding a large stick during the alleged argument, which resulted in Pierson feeling threatened. But despite the “reasonable fear” that Pierson had for his life, the 17-year-old was illegally holding the gun.

According to Think Progress:

Under Florida law, it is illegal for minors under 18 to possess a concealed firearm, other than an unloaded one in their home, but “Stand Your Ground” “qualifies [Pierson] for immunity from any homicide charges even though he illegally possessed the gun as a minor without a concealed carry permit,” Think Progress noted.

To tackle that hiccup, Pierson will face two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and an additional charge of evidence tampering, because he initially lied about the location of the gun, prosecutors said.

The Ocala Star Banner reported that Pierson’s friends, who were with him during the altercation that led to Jacobs’ death, avoided conflict by running away.

Although the paper noted that Pierson fired a shot while fleeing, he had no duty to retreat because of the “Stand Your Ground” law.

And here you are thinking Stand Your Ground only protected white men wielding guns in Florida. It’s time to do away with this violent legislation.

SOURCE: Think Progress