New research shows states that have passed “Stand Your Ground” laws — such as the one invoked by George Zimmerman to defend his killing of Trayvon Martin — have seen more homicides after the laws were approved. Two doctoral students at Georgia State University say their findings show up to 7.4 additional people are killed each month as a result of the law’s passage. The research also shows that states with such laws “have a higher percentage of black population, [are] more likely to have a Republican governor, higher incarceration rates and more police officers … and have a higher poverty rate.” The authors conclude: “Our findings raise serious doubts against the argument that Stand Your Ground laws make America safer.”