WARNING: When in Florida, do not stare too long at the crazy people.

[Harry Monroe]

Shoot first!

Florida's crazy 'stand your ground' gun law is part of an ideology of pre-emptive action against any perceived enemy spreading from the White House on down.


Crossing the state line into Florida on I-75, one is greeted by a billboard reading, "Visitor Warning. Florida residents can use deadly force. Please be careful." Erected by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the sign is a reference to the fact that, for the last year and a half, Floridians have been allowed by law to shoot anyone they want.

Well, not just anyone. A citizen can use deadly force only if, in the words of the law, he or she "believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another person or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony." So breathe a sigh of relief. As long as you don't give anyone a reason to feel threatened, you're perfectly safe.

The "stand your ground" law - called the "shoot first" law by opponents - passed the Florida legislature by a wide margin. Since it went into effect, similar laws have been passed in at least 14 other states and are being considered in many more.

The law allows someone attacked, even in a public place, to "stand his or her ground" - and to use deadly force if he or she feels it necessary. It revokes a legal requirement to try to avoid conflict. Thus the case of the West Palm Beach cab driver who shot and killed a drunken passenger in an altercation after dropping him off.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/isaacdavy_aronson_/2007/08/shoot_first.html

[Mojorabbit]

1. Personally I like the law

If someone breaks ino my house, I want to feel free to use force if necessary. We have had an increase in carjackings too. I don't have a problem with it at all.

[Harry Monroe]

2. "The law allows someone attacked, even in a public place, to "stand his or her ground"

"- and to use deadly force if he or she feels it necessary."

Not the same as protecting your home and property. I've lived in Louisiana and Florida where the law was you could use deadly force to protect home and property, but this is quite different altogether. Gunfight at the OK Corral anyone??

[BlooInBloo]

4. These people have only a passing fancy for the facts. Mostly they just want....

.... the blood that they imagine in their fantasies.

[Mojorabbit]

7. No, the law was ambiguous

before, as I learned when my sister was beat by her boyfriend on family property(front yard) according to the cops who came. I am a woman who is disabled and lives in an isolated place. I like the law.

[On the Road]

3. The Problem is

that is not how the law is written, as I understand it. A law giving greater leeway in responding to break-ins or attempted carjackings might have some merit. But this is broad-brush and is based on the judgment of the gun carrier. Not a smart move.

It is easy for any of these laws to result in tragedy. Think about the Halloween shooting of the Asian student in Louisiana a few years ago. At least a law like this should allow for a manslaughter charge if a shooting is unfounded.

[zbdent]

8. I remember in the 80s or early 90s that Florida had a problem with

carjacking and freeway shootings ... Repuke solution was to suppress the news of the problem ...

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. That's the little secret here -- you have ALWAYS had that right.

The new law has a much lower standard than self-defense. It is pre-emptive self-defense. They don't even need to display a weapon to cause 'justifiable fear of violence' - you can throw down on the other guy at harsh words. And he can do the same, increasing the chance that one or the other will.

The whole state is on a hair-trigger, now.

[Harry Monroe]

6. Like I said: Don't stare too long at the crazy people!!

[SoonerPride]

9. I suspect you have a WMD in your pocket.

I will shoot you, then invade your pockets to see.

Sounds familiar.

[xultar]

10. I refuse to go to FL because of that law. I know conventions who won't go

because of the law as well.