Have I said how glad I am not to be living in Florida anymore? More wacky hijinks, I mean, legislative politics, from the Sunshine State. And note, our friend of the "right to sue your professors for confronting you with facts" bill is quoted as a sponsor.
Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday he intends to sign a bill that would allow people who feel threatened -- even on the street or at a baseball game -- to "meet force with force" and defend themselves without fear of prosecution.
The measure, the top priority of the National Rifle Association in Florida this year, passed the House 94-20 on Tuesday. It had already passed the Senate.
Bush, who has championed tougher penalties for people convicted of using guns in crimes, said the bill is about self-defense and called it "a good, common sense, anti-crime issue."
The measure essentially extends a right Floridians already have in their home or car. Under present law, however, people attacked anywhere else are supposed to do what they can to avoid escalating the situation and can use deadly force only after they've tried to retreat.
"I'm sorry, people, but if I'm attacked I shouldn't have a duty to retreat," said the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Dennis Baxley. "That's a good way to get shot in the back."
Baxley said that if people have the clear right to defend themselves without having to worry about legal consequences, criminals will think twice.
And to think I nearly cried when I had to trade in my Florida driver's license.
Posted by binky at April 6, 2005 11:23 PM | TrackBack | Posted to PoliticsPerhaps when police officers who try to break up street fights get caught in the crossfire of force met with force, the FL legislature will reconsider. Or not -- presumably the relevant police lobbies were opposed to the bill (as they usually are with similar harebrained NRA schemes). Maybe whatever police unions there are in FL should call a general strike.
Wait, did I just type union and FL in the same sentence? What was I thinking?
Posted by: arbitransom at April 7, 2005 09:16 AM | PERMALINKUnfortunately, in the wacky world of Florida, not even the police are opposed to this bill:
The bill has the support of the Florida Police Benevolent Association. "It's a good law-and-order measure," said its lobbyist, David Murrell.
Murrell said the bill has necessary safeguards, such as protecting police who go to homes with arrest warrants.(Cite: about the fourth article down.)
I'll be more nervous when I visit that state (about once a year). Maybe I can find some spent bullets - there should be lots lying around.
Posted by: baltar at April 7, 2005 09:33 AM | PERMALINK