Can anyone find a news article on the Florida Bill they are talking about in the news that will allow Floridians to use a weapon in public if they feel theatened, using "force to meet force" and eliminating the public "duty to retreat" when in public?

I've heard about it on 3 news shows this morning, but it doesn't appear in any of the 4 Florida newspaper websites I've checked this morning.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 82,00.html

April 06, 2005

Jeb Bush backs Florida's 'Kill Bill'
By Simon Freeman, Times Online

A Bill giving Florida citizens the right to shoot and kill anyone who threatens them in public - without first having to try to escape - is set to be passed into law in a move that critics say could turn the Sunshine State into the Wild West.

Governor Jeb Bush has signalled his intention to sign into statute the 'Stand Your Ground Bill', which allows members of the public to "meet force with force, including deadly force and defend themselves without fear of prosecution".

Mr Bush, the President's brother, described the Bill, which has been backed by the National Rifle Association and was yesterday passed 94-20 by the Florida House of Representatives, as "a good, commonsense, anti-crime issue".

But critics warned that it would trigger an escalation in gun crime in the state, and engender a 'shoot-first, ask-questions-later culture. They have dubbed the measure the "Kill Bill" after the Quentin Tarantino film of the same name.

Florida courts, in line with most states, have already ruled that people have a right to defend themselves in their homes. This 'Castle Doctrine' has also been expanded to include employees in their workplaces and drivers attacked in their vehicles.

Elsewhere, however, courts have until now ruled that victims must at least attempt to escape before using lethal force, a provision which gun advocates say puts victims at greater risk. The latest bill removes that requirement if there is a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.

Republican Dennis Baxley told the House: "I’m sorry people, but if I’m attacked I shouldn’t have a duty to retreat. That’s a good way to get shot in the back."

Mr Baxley believes that if the public has the clear right to kill without any legal consequences, it will cause criminals to think twice.

"This is about meeting force with force," he said.

Critics have objected saying it gives gun owners a licence to kill. They also warn that it could lead to racially motivated killings and promote deadly escalations of arguments.

And Democrats pointed out the irony of the Florida legislature passing the Bill after both the President and his brother tried to intervene to save the life of Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged woman who died last week after a state court ordered the removal of her feeding tube.

Democrat Dan Gelber said: "For a House that talks about the culture of life, it’s ironic that we would be devaluing life in this Bill. That’s exactly what we’re doing."

Irv Slosberg, Democrat representative of Boca Raton, said: "All this Bill will do is sell more guns and possibly turn Florida into the OK Corral."

British victims of crime must wrestle with a series of moral and criminal guidelines before taking action against intruders in their homes. Latest Home Office advice suggests either making a noise to scare off the burglar or staying quiet in the hope that they will leave you alone.

I love that we finally find it in the NY Times. I guess we shouldn't worry about it. There's apparently no way that Floridians will even hear about it.

Actually, that's the Times in the UK.

Even better!

The "duty to retreat" doesn't entail much. If you take two steps back and find yourself with your back to a wall, you have essentially satisfied the duty to retreat. And the example of being "shot in the back" is ridiculous. If somebody has laready pulled a gun on you, you have the right to pull your gun and shoot him to defend yourself against the threat of deadly force.

I can't figure out from this article what this bill actually changes except to allow someone to be a tough guy and not appear weak to the other people in the bar when his argument over a piece of tail gets out of hand.

I hope this passes. And I hope gas prices hit $3.50+ a gallon this summer. I hope everyone in America that supports everything our government is doing gets exactly what they've asked for. This morning I came to the conclusion that everything is so fucked right now, it's going to take something really, really big to wake people up and start giving a fuck. I can't wait; it's gonna be awesome.

I totally agree.

And me, the only Floridian who doesn't own a firearm.

Best not be starting any shit.

No, he best go out and buy himself a gun. That is, after all, what this legislation is all about--selling more guns.

Too ridiculous to be true

Insanity. Relating the intervention of Jebby Bush in the Terri Schiavo fiasco with killing a criminal punk and calling it hypocrisy is ridiculous. As if some ass criminal's life is worth anything (I'm sure it might have some minute value to someone, but if a person is willing to kill another person so they can score a few bucks from the dead person's wallet, in my mind, constitues a person of little value to society). Granted, Terri's life might could be argued as not great and she'd be better off dying, but that scene can't be compared with someone getting shot because they wanted to rape someone or rob them and then stick a knife in their lungs. Gah, that ticks me off to no end.

I think those fearing this will lead to an escalation in crime need to understand that if you have a gun on you to shoot the criminal punk with in the first place, then you no doubt have a concealed carry permit. These people are already in a position to defend themselves, and aren't running around now blowing people away. People carrying those permits can be described as responsible gun owners. Carrying a gun around isn't a thing to joke about and they know it. I see this bill as a way to protect responsible citizens from being unfairly treated as a criminal in a so-called "court of justice" when in actuality all they would be doing is defending themselves or a loved one from someone that had the intention of hurting them.

I'm sure only criminals will be affected by this. Good call.

Wait until some confused old man with a gun kills a black kid who was just going to ask him for the time, because he "looked threatening." You really think this is about protecting the people of Florida? Really?

Yeah, cause I'm sure it's really about being able to kill all the black kids. Or better yet! It's about people buying more guns! Cause, you know, they needed more reasons for getting one in the first place.

Whatever man. It's your festering shithole of a state, not mine.

I completely agree.

Wanna rent a bunker somewhere?

Because we all know, only criminals get killed in random gun fights in the middle of public.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?!?

Sure. I'm thinking somewhere in the middle of the Mojave desert. It'll kinda be like Tremors, but with crazy people instead of weird underground desert worm-monster things.