Bill would grant immunity in ‘warning shot’ cases (Florida)

Miami Herald ^ | 10/02/2013 | Margie Menzel

[aimhigh]

A bill filed last week by a Polk County lawmaker is intended to address what he called "the negative, unintended consequences" of Florida’s 10-20-Life sentencing law by granting immunity to people who fire warning shots to protect themselves and others.

[aimhigh]

I expect Biden will support this. /sarc/

[Gator113]

I support “warning shots”, as long as the shooter is aiming for center mass. Shoot ‘til they quit wiggling.

[moovova]

Warning shot as opposed to a Trayvon shot?

[CriticalJ]

Warning shot: arm or leg.

[floridavoter2]

I hope this bill passes. It would be great to be able to fire a warning shot without actually shooting someone first. It makes it clear to the perps that you’re loaded and willing to kill. Most perps would scatter and flee at that point.

[River_Wrangler]

I hope this bill passes. It would be great to be able to fire a warning shot without actually shooting someone first. It makes it clear to the perps that you’re loaded and willing to kill. Most perps would scatter and flee at that point.

You have obviously never been in a real gunfight!

[Navy Patriot]

Aw, nuts. I don't want to send overly cautious indecisive crime victims to prison, but on the other hand, I don't want to send any projectile downrange unless it is absolutely necessary to protect innocent life, prevent serious injury, or protect lawful property.

I pray I never have a round go where I did not intend it.

[KrisKrinkle]

warning shots — The firing of shots or delivery of ordnance by personnel or weapons systems in the vicinity of a person, vessel, or aircraft as a signal to immediately cease activity. Warning shots are one measure to convince a potentially hostile force to withdraw or cease its threatening actions. (Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.)

[jeffc]

And until this law covering a really stupid "loophole" is passed, just claim you didn't fire a "Warning" shot. You aimed at the perp, you just missed!

[Navy Patriot]

Things being what they are these days, everyone should have training including legal training on actions and statements regarding self defense incidents.

[TigersEye]

Agreed. I don’t support any legal sanctions for firing a warning shot but it’s a very bad idea to do it.

[ObozoMustGo2012]

Good point! I stand corrected!

[antidisestablishment]

Just make sure you shoot that warning shot into your own leg, fool. If you don’t want to kill it, don’t aim at it.

[Gene Eric]

Warming up shots aren’t necessarily bad.

[bravo whiskey]

this came up in my ccw legal class. the instructor, who is also a fire arms instructor, said warning shots are bad ideas. if you have enough time to procees the situation anf fire a warning shot, it can be argued in court you were not in immediate danger. plus the bullet fired has to go somewhere and every bullet has a lawyer attached to it.

[TigersEye]

If you happen to shoot them in the head say that that was unintentional too. Many DAs tend to view a head shot as 'intent to kill' and automatically bill a grand jury hearing.

[LibLieSlayer]

Warning shots are bad gun etiquette. Don’t pull a gun unless you intend to use it. Ammo is just too damned expensive today to waste it!

[LibLieSlayer]

Amen!