Florida -- The Shoot First State?
 

The Shoot First State? Ads Warn About Law.

A gun control group cautions tourists about Florida's new "Stand Your Ground" protection. Gov. Jeb Bush says it's safer than ever here.

By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - It's definitely not your typical tourist pitch.

"Thinking about a Florida vacation?" the advertisement asks. "A new law in the Sunshine State authorizes nervous or frightened residents to use deadly force."

Ads, fliers, billboards and a Web site are part of a campaign by a national gun control group to warn visitors about Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law that takes effect Saturday.

The law gives broad legal protections to a person who is attacked not only at home, but "any other place where he or she has a right to be," and removes a common-law duty to retreat in the face of attack. A person being attacked will have "the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force," not only at home but in public places.

The law also gives the shooter immunity from criminal and civil charges unless the victim is a police officer.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says its goal is to alert travelers, not scare off tourists who are vital to the state's economy. "We think it's reasonable to tell people that they should avoid passionate confrontations when they come to Florida," said Peter Hamm, the Brady campaign's communications director. "This was a dangerous solution to a problem that doesn't exist. The jails are not full of people who acted in self-defense. This crosses the line of reasonableness."

Prompted by the National Rifle Association, Florida lawmakers passed the bill by lopsided margins and with strong bipartisan support. Gov. Jeb Bush, who signed it into law in April, this week called it "a good, common-sense piece of legislation."

"Florida has a huge number of visitors who come to our state, and they're safer today than they have ever been before. This bill won't change that at all," Bush said. "Partisan political agendas should have nothing to do with our visitor industry."

Bush points to a steady drop in Florida's crime rate - now at its lowest point in 34 years - as proof that the state is a safe destination.

Still, only South Carolina had a higher rate of violent crime than Florida in 2003, according to FBI figures.

The NRA's Florida lobbyist, Marion Hammer, said Florida's law was needed to undo the work of "activist judges and prosecutors."

She said deadly force can be used in public only by someone who's licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and that similar antigun "nonsense" followed the passage of the concealed-weapon law in 1987.

Nearly 350,000 people in Florida held concealed weapons permits as of Aug. 31.

"Tourists have nothing to worry about," Hammer said, "unless they're coming here to break into our homes or attack us on the street."

Fresh from its Tallahassee victory, the NRA is pushing a similar bill in Michigan, where the Brady campaign is mounting active opposition.

...

As if to make up for lost time, the Brady group will hire people to hand out leaflets at Miami International Airport about "Florida's Shoot First Law." Hamm said temporary workers, not pro-gun control political activists, will be paid to pass out fliers in English and Spanish.

"Do not argue unnecessarily with local people," the flier states. "If you are involved in a traffic accident or near-miss, remain in your car and keep your hands in plain sight. ... We want your visit to be safe and positive. Please remember that each of us has a great deal of ability to prevent angry confrontations."

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Discuss.

If I'm being hit with a 9 iron, I don't want the law to tell me I have to flee. If I could have avoided the situation I would have. I want the law to tell me I can put lead between his eyes and go home.

-Rudey

This is on the table in Michigan, and the Brady group has launched a huge campaign against it.

Kennesaw, GA - home of the "each household must have a gun" law.

Crime went to zero in this Atlanta suburb after it was passed.

No known innocent people or animals have been shot.

God bless Florida.

Here comes my red state side:


I love this law. In TX we can use deadly force to defend our property and Got darnit I like it!

I live in DC now where cars are stolen at a higher rate than anywhere else in the nation (maybe we're second to Prince George's County, but I digress) and believe me at this point we need something! One guy in MD got arrested because he shot a guy the THIRD time someone tried to steal his car from his driveway- I don't blame him one bit- he paid for that car and likely got sick of some hoodlum stealing it.

Ok- I'm a democrat again (except I do claim myself to be a TX resident to avoid state income tax:D ).

This must no longer be true. I am moving there in the winter and every place I have looked at no one has said oh and by law you must have a gun to live here.

I really like the idea of mentally unstable Florida residents running around in public with guns in their pants. Awesome.

Good thing I will never, ever have reason to go there.

Since this law goes into the effect, Florida should offer bullet proof vests to its citizens free of charge in case they happen to get caught in crossfire while in a public place. They should be the good ones and not the ones that are defective when exposed to light either.

LOL

LOL.

Most of the nuts are in central and southern Florida. Not saying that Northern Florida doesn't have its share of freaks--ours just don't do stupid stuff and let the national media know about it. :(

So....did anyone actually read this or was it just conviently ignored?

In order to have such a license you have to met certain criteria. Classes, not having any felonies or violent crimes on your record, etc.

Right, because all mentally unstable people have felonies or violent crimes on their records.

Like not voting for Bush!

I call lie/fib/propoganda ;)

Perhaps you should actually look into your "facts" before you post them (I know you watch Fax - but come on).

All stats from the Kennesaw, GA police service website:
http://www.kennesaw.ga.us/index.asp?NID=137

As you can see crime is still a far cry from "zero"