Stand Your Ground: Don't be another Trayvon Martin!

Some good advice for European and other travel agencies around the world. Much like our travel advisories in the U.S. telling us not to visit Afghanistan, Iran, or other countries prone to violence or that coddle terrorists, other countries should do the same for their citizens who visit the U.S.--Advisory: if you want to come back alive, avoid countries, including the United States, where civility is primitive or on the wane.

Or perhaps to be fair to some U.S. states, sadly not many, they should issue their advisories state by state.  But that would be a very long advisory, indeed.  Some 16-17 states have "Stand Your Ground" laws, which basically means you can shoot anyone you want, anywhere, and then claim self-defense.  And then, of course, there are all those states that allow concealed guns, or worse permit citizens to openly carry guns anywhere they wish, including to church.  Here's a partial list (to be updated):

States that permit open carry without requiring the citizen to apply for any permit or license: (11) Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Kentucky, Virginia. 

States that permit open carry with restrictions: (13) Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts

States that prohibit open carry: (7)New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Florida

Stand your ground states:  Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington  (not a recent list, alas)

So to world leaders at large:  Protect your citizens. Tell them about the United States and eliminate surprises. Advise them "Travel at your own risk!"