03-23-2012, 12:38 PM
While it stinks, the state's hands are tied as by the letter of the law in Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, what took place was legal.
This is exactly what opponents said would eventually transpire when the state GOP controlled legislature (by super-majority in both chambers) and GOP Governor allowed this to become law with virtually no official debate.
The law essentially says a person claiming to feel threatened may use deadly force to protect themself. It does not limit the action to protecting one's self from deadly intention, it does not say the other party need be armed, nor does it say you must be on your property or defending your property. You do not have to try to leave or avoid the other individual. You do not even have to show that you were physically threatened. Essentially if you feel threatened, you can use whatever force you deem neccessary to feel safe again - up to and including deadly force.
Florida also allows individuals with a permit (granted to just about anyone who takes the concealed weapons course, which requires everyone be passed) to carry a weapon anywhere in the state other than schools (and that is being debated in court) and the state legislative chambers.
Since their are no witnesses to what transpired, the only evidence is what the shooter says. He said he felt threatened and used the force neccessary to protect himself.
Yes, it is an idiot's law that is shortsighted and ill-conceived (IMHO). Quite frankly, I'm surprised anyone has been charged with murder since this law went into effect last year. With any luck, it will be amended in some fashion to correct it's many flaws. So far, no member of the majority party in Florida has raised that possibility.
So welcome to the wild west, hopefully you'll survive your next trip to Disney World - just don't look mean at Mickey or he could blow you away.
This is exactly what opponents said would eventually transpire when the state GOP controlled legislature (by super-majority in both chambers) and GOP Governor allowed this to become law with virtually no official debate.
The law essentially says a person claiming to feel threatened may use deadly force to protect themself. It does not limit the action to protecting one's self from deadly intention, it does not say the other party need be armed, nor does it say you must be on your property or defending your property. You do not have to try to leave or avoid the other individual. You do not even have to show that you were physically threatened. Essentially if you feel threatened, you can use whatever force you deem neccessary to feel safe again - up to and including deadly force.
Florida also allows individuals with a permit (granted to just about anyone who takes the concealed weapons course, which requires everyone be passed) to carry a weapon anywhere in the state other than schools (and that is being debated in court) and the state legislative chambers.
Since their are no witnesses to what transpired, the only evidence is what the shooter says. He said he felt threatened and used the force neccessary to protect himself.
Yes, it is an idiot's law that is shortsighted and ill-conceived (IMHO). Quite frankly, I'm surprised anyone has been charged with murder since this law went into effect last year. With any luck, it will be amended in some fashion to correct it's many flaws. So far, no member of the majority party in Florida has raised that possibility.
So welcome to the wild west, hopefully you'll survive your next trip to Disney World - just don't look mean at Mickey or he could blow you away.