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Florida's force vs. force gun law stirs debate
Associated Press
and FLORIDA TODAY WEB EXTRAS
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Sticking to their guns
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A new gun law that would allow Florida residents to defend themselves on the streets without fear of prosecution is drawing praise and fire today.
Supporters of the "meet force with force" bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jeb Bush touted it as a way not only to protect the rights of those who are assaulted, but a measure meant to deter crime.
"If law-abiding citizens are able to protect themselves and have government stand behind them, you will have less violent crime," said Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, the sponsor of the bill in the House.
Opponents of the bill warned during debate on the issue that it will lead to a "Wild West" atmosphere in Florida, where gun-toting people in public places will have shootouts because they can. No one will ever back down, opponents argued.
"You are telling people when they are in the midst of an emotional moment ... you can stand your ground until death happens," Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, said during House debate on the bill earlier this month.
But Baxley said the measure wouldn't result in free-for-all gun battles, in part because of laws already on the books - or rules by property owners - that prevent people from carrying guns in many instances, such as in a stadium. In another example, opponents had raised the prospect of fist fights in bars erupting into shootouts.
"You can't bring a weapon in a bar," countered Baxley on Tuesday. "If you bring a firearm in a bar, you're already committing a felony."
How the law works
The measure says people under attack don't have to retreat before responding, as long as they're in a place they legally have a right to be.
The bill says the person has "the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so, to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another."
People already have that right in their home. The bill, which takes effect Oct. 1, extends the right to public spaces, including on the street or in a place of business.
Case law and statutes dealing with the issue vary from state to state, but supporters said the measure brings Florida in line with a number of other states.
"It's common sense to allow people to defend themselves," Bush said. "When you're in a position where you're being threatened ... to have to retreat and put yourself in a very precarious position, you know, it defies common sense."
Top priority for NRA
The measure was the National Rifle Association's top priority, and the group's lobbyist, Marion Hammer, was at Bush's side as he signed it into law.
"Now, the law and their government is on the side of law-abiding people and victims, rather than on the side of criminals," Hammer said.
"(The new law) would make me feel more confident with my own gun," said Jackie Speed-Isom of Cocoa.
Speed-Isom, a 48-year-old mother of three and grandmother of four, shoots her Beretta 9 mm weekly with the shooting league at the America Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville.
This seems really bothersome to me. I saw an expert talk about it, and he said under the guidelines which give you permission to shoot if you feel threatened, then if you even think that someone is pulling a gun on you (when they may be going for a cell phone) then you can legally shoot them.