I've heard some conservative commentators mention Georgia's stand-your-ground law to argue that the McMichaels were justified in shooting Arbery.

But that ignores that Arbery had a right to defend himself from a forcible felony. He had no duty to flee or freeze.

Let's imagine for a moment that Arbery has all of the legal and constitutional rights that we ascribe to the McMichaels. He's running. Not from a felony or during one.

Two men confront him with guns and tell him to stop. What are his rights? /2

Well, in Georgia, carrying a weapon to intimidate someone is aggravated assault. You don't have to point it. And we know Arbery's intimidated, because he responds immediately. /3

Are you entitled to use lethal force to prevent a forcible felony in Georgia?

Yes.

So here, Arbery was justified in fighting his assailants, and he would likely be justified in killing them. /4

And folks, if you are someone who carries a firearm for protection, you absolutely want that to be the case. If someone tries to mug you by displaying a firearm and demanding your wallet, you might not want to have to wait for him to shoot you before you draw. /5

And you don't want your mugger to be able to claim that he saw you step into the lobby of an office building without permission to justify using his gun to stop you.

An argument that denies Arbery the right to self-defense is an argument against your rights too. /6

So, please, when you're looking at this case, don't just run the justification arguments one way./f