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| Bill Allowing People To "Meet Force With Force" Passes House |
| 2005-04-05 |
| People who feel threatened on the street, in a bar, at a baseball game -- or anywhere they have a legal right to be -- could "meet force with force" to defend themselves without fear of being prosecuted or held liable under a bill passed overwhelmingly Tuesday by the House. The measure (SB 436) passed 94-20. It had already passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. Jeb Bush, who has so far declined to say whether he will sign it. It was the top priority of the National Rifle Association in Florida this year. It essentially extends a right Floridians already have in their home or car, saying that there's no need to retreat before fighting back. Generally people attacked in their homes don't have to back off. If they're attacked in the street, though, they're supposed to do what they can to avoid escalating the situation, and can only use deadly force after they've tried to retreat. "I'm sorry people, but if I'm attacked I shouldn't have a duty to retreat," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. "That's a good way to get shot in the back." Baxley said that if people have the clear right to defend themselves without having to worry about the legal consequences, criminals will think twice before attacking someone. Opponents said it will make Florida like the "Wild, Wild West." The bill, if signed by Bush, would take effect Oct. 1. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #11 They predicted "Wild West" the the "Must Issue" concealed carry permit laws came out. Didn't happen then, will not happen now. There are already states with "Make my Day" laws that allow home defenders to not back into a corner first. Texas and Colorado have them and they are very lenient, if I remember correctly. No bloodbaths there from people defending themselves. When will the LLL give this one up? They lie and lie and lie and nobody in the MSM ever calls them on it. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2005-04-05 2:09:30 PM |
| #10 They predicted "Wild West" the the "Must Issue" concealed carry permit laws came out. Didn't happen then, will not happen now. There are already states with "Make my Day" laws that allow home defenders to not back into a corner first. Texas and Colorado have them and they are very lenient, if I remember correctly. No bloodbaths there from people defending themselves. When will the LLL give this one up? They lie and lie and lie and nobody in the MSM ever calls them on it. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2005-04-05 2:09:30 PM |
| #9 The measure (SB 436) passed 94-20. It had already passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. Jeb Bush,.. Too bad it's only a FL thing. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-04-05 7:28:09 PM |
| #8 Mainly because Calhoun, Dixie and Hardee were dry Sunday for so long... :) Taylor went triple wet the first second after Prohibiton was repealed. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-04-05 6:58:21 PM |
| #7 Or Taylor especially. :) |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-04-05 6:56:48 PM |
| #6 As a former legislative staffer in Tallahassee, I would like to congratulate my state by saying "yipee!" - Don't mess with Osceola County, that's all I got to say. Or Calhoun. Or Dixie. Or Hardee County... |
| Posted by: Adam 2005-04-05 4:17:23 PM |
| #5 Opponents said it will make Florida like the "Wild, Wild West." TV show or movie? I liked the TV show, but not the movie. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-04-05 2:28:54 PM |
| #4 "I’m sorry people, but if I’m attacked I shouldn’t have a duty to retreat," That's precisely your duty here in Taxachusetts... |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-04-05 2:19:06 PM |
| #3 They predicted "Wild West" the the "Must Issue" concealed carry permit laws came out. Didn't happen then, will not happen now. There are already states with "Make my Day" laws that allow home defenders to not back into a corner first. Texas and Colorado have them and they are very lenient, if I remember correctly. No bloodbaths there from people defending themselves. When will the LLL give this one up? They lie and lie and lie and nobody in the MSM ever calls them on it. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2005-04-05 2:09:30 PM |
| #2 *sigh* We'll never get that here in PA with that p***y Rendell as governor, but I'm happy for Floridians! With Jeb in there, this will probably get signed this week. |
| Posted by: Dar 2005-04-05 1:29:42 PM |
| #1 And? |
| Posted by: BigEd 2005-04-05 1:29:08 PM |