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.

[NRA2BFree]

Thanks for the ping! That*s a great article. I*m sure you made a lot of people think about buying a gun for self defense. I would never have thought about comparing it to the way animals hunt, but it was a good example that ordinary people will be able to understand. Good job!! :o)

[Lancey Howard]

Visitors to the state get wide-eyed when they hear about the new law.

....With happily surprised amazement, I hope.
I plan on retiring to Florida, and since I always keep myself armed no matter what the law says, it's nice to know that now I won't be a criminal in Florida simply for being prepared to defend myself and my family. Against real criminals.

[Condor51]

****...the sherrif (sic) told them he had already disarmed the Clampetts, so the Earps hid their firearms as they approached.****

Them Clampetts were a dangerous bunch. Granny was a deadly shot.

The Clampetts

I think you meant the "Clantons"

(just teasing)

[Lancey Howard]

Hi!

(Ping to post #62)

By the way, your comments to the reporter were perfect.

Regards,
LH

[papertyger]

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, is warning tourists to stay away from Florida for their own safety. in a cynical attempt to punish Florida for passing a law they don't like...

[savedbygrace]

Aw gee, I really messed that one up. I'm an idiot.

Thanks for the correction.

[papertyger]

What this is REALLY about is the TORT REFORM encompassed in this law. LAWYERS ARE BEING DENIED ACCESS TO INSURANCE MONEY CLAIMS! FOLLOW THE MONEY!

Thank you. Somebody else "gets it."

All the lawyers had to do before is conjure up some fanatasy scenario whereby a person "could" have safely fled instead of standing their ground, and the civil judgement was as good as theirs...no matter that the lawyer destroyed the finacial life of the person who managed to avoid letting a mugger destroy their physical life.

[ArmyTeach]

Initially Alaska had a law permitting licensed concealed carry. To obtain this license, the individual took a two-day course in shooting, shooting safety and the law governing concealed carry, followed by a security and criminal background check and fingerprinting by Alaska State Troopers. It was a somewhat costly procedure. Only one concealed carry licensee was ever arrested in Alaska and that was on a technicality. Troopers and police would see our concealed carry license and know we are one of the good guys. In the last few years the situation was opened to allow concealed carry by anyone over 18, without classes or background check. I frankly feel a bit uneasy about such indiscriminate access. There are bad guys and irresponsible guys out there, after all. But sill no OK Corral.

[papertyger]

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

Not an option once you've smelled (or I dare say NOT smelled) any other shore on the planet!

[Badray]

I'd suggest that he doesn't tailgate. It's rude, dangerous, and illegal.

Perhaps getting shot for tailgating is appropriate when you look at the possible consequences for the tailgatee.

[Bar-Face]

In the Trial transcripts, Wyatt Earp stated that he had his pistol in his coat pocket. I think I read the his brothers both had pistols in holsters under their coats. Holliday was armed with an express guard's 8 guage shotgun. (now there is stopping power) The cowboys were all wearing pistols in visible holsters. As stated by someone somewhere, this was a classic confrontation between urban and rural men.

[papertyger]

Which should serve as a lesson to all of us when we deal with the media -- even when you watch every word, nothing will stop these newscritters from hearing whatever they want to hear.

Forgive me for disagreeing with you Joe, but the only way to "deal" with the media is to refuse to talk to them, and get others with your viewpoint to boycott them also. If they can only report one side, it denies them any cover for the bias they're going to practice anyway.

It's a hard program because you always figure someone else will talk to them if you don't, but it's still the only way to "win."

[gortklattu]

I believe the gunfight at the OK Corral resulted in the deaths of some criminals....right?

If so, what's wrong with that? Criminals should be zapped, after a speedy trial on Earth, anyway

[Terabitten]

One national group, The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, is warning tourists to stay away from Florida for their own safety.

Instead, they recommend that tourists go to places with strict gun-control laws, like Washington, DC.

[Oatka]

Several years ago (more than ten?) the Florida state legislature enacted a law changing the car tags on rental cars. Why? It turned out that criminals operating in high tourist volume cities (Miami, Orlando, etc) were looking for rental cars. With the special rental car tag, visible and illuminated at night, it was very easy to sort out the tourist, with high value cameras and large amounts of cash, from the locals and then just attack the tourist.

I read somewhere that Florida then started recognizing out-of-state CCWs, and let that fact be known. Volume car jackings quickly stopped.

[blackie]

Good stuff, Joe ~ You Da Man!

The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security!

Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!

[Graymatter]

I miss the smell of the Jersey shore every day. Been on other shores all over the world, they all smell. It's just the Jersey smell makes my bells ring, because that's where they did most. :)

[papertyger]

Are there any conservative writers/reporters/editors, young or old, looking for newspaper jobs?

No. :-/

They've given up on "old" media and gone into PR.

If you can't join'em, beat'em.

[elbucko]

When I have discussed this with my fellow lawyers, MONEY is the root of their concern NOT lives.

Of course it is. It's why they became lawyers in the first place.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Do those assholes not realize that the only people who believe their lies anymore are idiots?