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.

[Travis McGee]

Interview????

[wardaddy]

it's a parody someone did

i think it's on it's way to you

[goldstategop]

The law applies in the HOME not to action on the streets. What does is drop an intervening requirement that you have flee or retreat BEFORE you can defend yourself. In your own home you should be able to stand your ground to protect what is after all your castle, right? That's common sense. But not to the Brady bunch gun banners inflamed with hatred of law-abiding gun owners to the point they are willing to lie to destroy Florida's image, the rights of its citizens and frighten foreign tourists about their safety. You would think liberals would take a moment to read the law but that's too much to expect.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Squantos]

Awesome work WD.....I laughed so hard I cried !

Well worth the long download Travis ! Wait for it ....

BTW I'm sending ya my current favorite tune .....reminds me of favorite freepers....

[Travis McGee]

I got it, I'll listen tomorrow....gotta hit the hay.

[Squantos]

It reminded me of this tune.....

Well a man come on 6 o'clock news
Said somebody been shot
Somebody's been abused
somebody blew up a building
somebody stole a car
somebody got away
somebody didn't get too far
Yeah, they didn't get too far

Grand pappy told my pappy back in my day
Son a man had to answer for the wicked that he'd done
Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree, round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see

That
Justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys
You got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we'll sing a victory tune
And we'll all meet back at the local saloon
And we'll raise up our glasses against evil forces singing
whiskey for my men, beer for my horses

We got too many gangsters doing dirty deeds
too much corruption and crime in the streets
It's time the long arm of the law put a few more in the ground
Send 'em all to their maker and he'll settle 'em down
You can bet he'll set 'em down

Cause
Justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys
You got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we'll sing a victory tune
And we'll all meet back at the local saloon
And we'll raise up our glasses against evil forces singing
whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
whiskey for my men, beer for my horses

He knew
Justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys,
You got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we'll sing a victory tune
And we'll all meet back at the local saloon
And we'll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singin' whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
Singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses

[onyx]

WHAT? Awesome work, wardaddy?

It's FOR wardaddy... WKB did it.

Maybe wardaddy is taking credit...lol. (Just kidding.. I KNOW he's not).

[onyx]

Good night, TM. You'll enjoy it.

[Squantos]

My bad then not WD's....I thought he did it...still funny give credit where due for me then !

Stay safe !

[goldstategop]

Here's the context for the new law in an NRA background release from April of this year:

Fairfax, VA – Today, in a ceremony at the state capitol, Gov. Jeb Bush signed Florida’s “Castle Doctrine” (SB-436) into law. Sponsored by Senator Durell Peaden and Representative Dennis Baxley, the bill unanimously passed the Senate and overwhelmingly passed in the House, 94-20.

Prior to signing the National Rifle Association (NRA) supported bill, Gov. Jeb Bush stated, "It`s a good, commonsense, anti-crime issue."

The "Castle Doctrine" simply says that if a criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle or your place of business, you may presume he is there to do bodily harm and you may use any force against him.

It also removes the “duty to retreat” if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be.

Furthermore, this law provides protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves from criminal attack.

Past National Rifle Association (NRA) president and current Executive Director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida, Marion P. Hammer, stated, "Existing law is on the side of the criminal. The new law is on the side of the law-abiding victim.”

She continued, “To suggest that you can`t defend yourself against a rapist who`s trying to drag you into an alley or against a carjacker who`s trying to drag you out of your car is nonsense. The ability to protect yourself, your children, or your spouse is important, no matter where you are.

“I want to thank Governor Bush and the bill sponsors, Sen. Peaden and Rep. Baxley, for supporting this vital measure. This law is about affirming that your home is your castle and, in Florida, you have a right to be absolutely safe inside its walls,” Hammer concluded.

Great pro-victim rights law. It lets you defend yourself where you have a legitimate right to be without having to take leave of the premises. Why should a criminal have the right to be there? No, the Brady gun banners don't get it - common sense is beyond them.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[G.Mason]

You are right, I was wrong.

http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/castledoctrinebill.pdf

[jalisco555]

For craps sake, is there anything in newspapers that can be believed?

They get the TV listings right most of the time. Beyond that, though, no.

[jwpjr]

I too thought its effect was restricted to your home, but I heard a piece about it on a radio program and they went through it in more detail that we get from the MSM.

I will be really surprised if this change in the law results in any big problems. Most people will shoot now if they have a weapon and feel sufficiently threatened. I've always heard the adage "I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by six."

[G.Mason]

"I too thought its effect was restricted to your home ... "

I should have read the "castle doctrine" bill more closely and with some reading comprehension.

BTW ... Thanks for not beating on me. As we were taught in the service ... "No excuse sir!"

[Eaker]

Way to go Joe!!

[JulieRNR21]

Understand......just hate to see the reporter misquote you!

Thanks for defending our Second Amendment Rights!

[King Prout]

I was just given the URL to a wonderful RKBA image gallery.
http://olegvolk.net/gallery/arms?page=1
some examples:

[Squantos]

Oleg is a freeper.....

[King Prout]

really?

then I must thank Oleg for that gallery.

Thanks, Oleg!

[from occupied ga]

They keep saying that you should leave your personal safety in the hands of the police.

These would be the same police that in the fine style of the Gestapo went form door to door disarming the law abiding residents of New Orleans hence making them helpless prey for the criminals, but ignored (or joined) the groups of armed criminals prowling the streets in search of loot and disarmed victims?