Gun law critics fear state will become O.K. Corral

Sarasota Herald-Tribune ^ | 10/2/05 | Latisha Gray

[hemogoblin]

Joe Brower says everyday life is like "Wild Kingdom." It's survival of the fittest. And in his world, criminals don't attack people with guns; people with guns are the strong ones.

If some criminal mistakes him for prey, as of today, a new law gives him the right to shoot with the gun he keeps at his side.

"A lion out in Africa doesn't go for the strongest zebra," said Brower, a 44-year-old software engineer. "It goes for the weakest. Human predators do the exact same thing. If you are armed, that makes you stronger."

The "Stand Your Ground" law says instead of running, people who fear for their lives have the right to defend themselves -- no matter where they are.

Gun owners like Brower say the new law will make criminals think twice before they attack. But others who feel uneasy about the legislation say it could turn Florida into the Wild West.

One national group, The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, is warning tourists to stay away from Florida for their own safety. Visitors to the state get wide-eyed when they hear about the new law.

[Horatio Gates]

still full price dirtbag!

Of course. I use the finest gubmint cheeses.

[Major_Risktaker]

What's Jersey got (besides the Jersey shore)?

If you need shore go to Florida.

NJ has I-95 a great highway to evacuate or exit and never return to the state that does believe in the 2nd amendment.

Also Lambertville Station NJ has a nice little bridge to get you back freedom in New Hope, PA.

[Graymatter]

If you need shore go to Florida.

If you need only shore and not fire ants, go to New Jersey.
Seriously, I've been to Florida. Nice place, but I prefer four seasons a year. Haven't been to New Hope since the '80s. Charming architecture and antique shops, fantastic taxes; and the other side of the river is just as scenic, but much cheaper, and you can carry a gun. Bucks Cty also has wineries and a carousel museum and a lot more antiques.
Still, if I won a big lottery, I'd go back to Jersey.

[Major_Risktaker]

Still, if I won a big lottery, I'd go back to Jersey.

I wish you all the luck in the world to win Saturday's Powerball ® Jackpot estimated $167 Million!!!

[papertyger]

You are incorrect.

You should read the law.

[Graymatter]

Thank you, Major. The good wishes are worth more to me than the winning ticket! They've no downside. Back atcha! :)

[SauronOfMordor]

Sure they should be scared. If I were a bad guy, who would I rather rob/carjack/mug..a Florida resident who MAY be armed, or a tourist couple straight out of the airport who I KNOW doesn't have a weapon??...

My home state permit is good in Florida. You can count on me having a loaded firearm on me before I exit the Orlando rental-car lot

[jwpjr]

re: I work in this paper's newsroom

I did my time at a newspaper, in the news photo department, but had constant contact with the people in the newsroom. Your description of the state of the newspaper business today is right on, dead-center. At our paper there were precious few veterans of the news business left. The kids who were coming in from journalism school were pitiful. I hate to use that word, but I can't think of any other that would fit. They all seemed to have an agenda of their own and were not interested in facts unless they backed that agenda. And you can't tell them anything! They know it all. Sad, sad what the business has come to. I was not in it until much later in life, but I would hear the long-timers lamenting how it had changed over the years. We had shooters that had been with the paper for 40 plus years. It's very interesting to hear their take on where business is headed. There were a couple of conservative heads in the newsroom, but like you, they had to choose their battles carefully. I wish I had gotten into the business earlier in life, it was a great place to work if you could stomach the liberals!

[jwpjr]

Another reason the criminals would go for the rental cars was that the people in them were less likely to return again and again for court appearances. Lots of cases were simply dropped when the prosecutors couldn't get the victim or witnesses to come back to court.

[jwpjr]

re: not anyplace in public

It covers any place a citizen has the right to be, not just on their own property.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Actually if you read a bit further into the story, you'll find that 90% of the fight between the Earps and the Clantons was amazingly politcal.

Behan (the town sherrif) was a Democrat, the Earps et al were Republicans. There was alot of bad blood between them because of recent elections that had been held. The story is pretty involved but is VERY interesting to read.

[El Gato]

The gunfight at the OK Corral took place when the town law enforcement officials attempted to arrest the Clanton faction for carrying weapons in violation of the town ordnances

IOW, the gunfight at the OK Corral was caused by Gun Control! :)

[El Gato]

There should be a study done to correlate a one year drop in crime after every CCW law is passed.

It's been done, point your favorite search engine at "John Lott", "More Guns, Less Crime" and "The Bias Against Guns", the latter two the titles of his books.

Or check this Texas State Rifle Association page of links to Lott's articles

[JulieRNR21]

Trouble is, I never said "wild kingdom"; I said "animal kingdom", and a pejorative was substituted. And as for the "Survival of the fittest" bit, well, she just made that up completely. I have to get a pocket tape recorder so I have some evidence to back me up next time when I take the SHT to civil court for defamation.

Joe.....I don't think you need a recording to get out the truth. May I suggest you write a 'guest column' correcting the article with what you actually said and also give the readers a lesson in why we are fortunate to have the Second Amendment!

Request that your column be printed promptly or the SH-T, will be hearing from your attorney for defamation.

Also am I correct in my understanding that this law applies to the use of deadly force in defending one's property from invasion & theft? It doesn't apply to 'imagined threats'.

[El Gato]

Then add a two strikes law (3 is too many) to really take the trash off the street,

But the main reason they were carjacking tourists was that it was much less likely that the tourists would be armed. IIRC, the problem really didn't arise until Florida passed a CHL law, and, to hear the grabbers tell it, became the "GunShine State".

[mvpel]

Joe - this is precisely why the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers has a strict "we do not talk to the media" policy.

[ArmyTeach]

Can't argue with your points, agree with most. I can't help worrying about the 18-year-old kid saying "Whoopee, now I can carry a gun", gets himself into a hot situation and into big trouble. He never meant any harm, but there it is. Agree with your points, but worry anyhow. Just a little.

[Joe Brower]

As I see it, the media's blatant anti-gun bias put those of us who still know what it truly means to be free into a classic "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation.

Mark Twain once said, "Don't start an argument with a man who buys ink by the barrelful." Unfortunately, the reality is that the man who buys the ink is starting the argument with us.

[Joe Brower]

PMFJI, but we must always be careful of falling into the trap in believing that we must curtail the God-given rights of all simply because those freedoms will be abused by a miscreant few. It has ever been thus, and is one of the primary reasons why when confronted with the true cost of such freedom, most men beg for their shackles.

[Joe Brower]

"It doesn't apply to 'imagined threats'."

Corrrect. As for writng a guest op-ed, I'm afraid that my middle-class, running-my-own-corporation, family-man life does't afford me the luxury of time for such an endeavor unless I knew it would be printed. I simply don't have the time to play verbal ping-pong with these propogandists for a month in order to have my words see print.