Darrell Davis: The reason McKnight died

Joe McKnight was killed by Ronald Gasser, who shot the Saskatchewan Roughriders running back during a road-rage altercation near New Orleans. Gasser is currently on trial for the killing, even though there’s no doubt that he pulled the trigger.

In Canada, Gasser would certainly be found guilty and incarcerated for cold-blooded murder. In Louisiana, where the National Rifle Association helped write the state’s stand-your-ground law, Gasser may go free.

McKnight had drugs in his system, according to an autopsy. And he evidently approached Gasser’s car following some on-road altercations. That’s dangerous in the U.S., where millions of people carry handguns in their vehicles and stand-your-ground laws allow lethal self-defence when someone feels threatened.

McKnight certainly over-reacted. So did his killer. Putting a gun into that situation —allowing a gun in that situation — turned it into a needless tragedy.