At the heart of “The Perfect Neighbor,” Netflix’s latest viral documentary, is a tragedy — and a law.
The documentary chronicles the steady escalation of events that, in 2023, led to Susan Lorincz fatally shooting her neighbor Ajike Owens, a mother of four in front of her children. The Florida killing — and Netflix’s documentary — reignited a controversy around the so-called stand your ground laws at the center of Lorincz’ defense.
What exactly are these controversial laws?
Stand your ground laws are the broadest possible interpretation of self-defense. They allow people to respond with potentially lethal force in a situation where they feel threatened. Florida became the first state to adopt a stand your ground law in 2005. Now, the legislation exists in 30 states.
Estimates of the number of stand your ground cases vary widely, according to the RAND Corporation. However, a team of policy researchers determined that the laws are associated with 700 deaths nationwide each year.
