Brady Bunch. How low can they go?

Miggy · September 23rd, 2005, 08:53 AM

Just when I thought they couldn't go any lower, they prove me wrong

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Group opposed to new gun law targets tourists

Gun-control advocates will warn visitors to Florida that a new state self-defense law that starts Oct. 1 puts them in jeopardy. Gov. Jeb Bush's spokeswoman called the campaign `ridiculous.'

By MARY ELLEN KLAS

meklas@herald.com

TALLAHASSEE - Enter Florida at your own risk. That's the message supporters of gun control are sending in an ad campaign designed to warn visitors about Florida's new law allowing victims to shoot first in self-defense without fear of prosecution.

The law, passed by the Florida Legislature in the spring and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush, takes effect Oct. 1. That's the day the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence will start its newspaper ad campaign in London, Chicago, Boston and Detroit and hand out fliers to arriving passengers at Miami International Airport.

The new law ''may lead to the reckless use of guns on the streets of Florida cities,'' the one-page flier reads. The ads will warn that after Oct. 1, visitors ''face a greater risk of bodily harm in Florida,'' said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Washington-based advocacy group.

The fliers urge tourists to take precautions, such as: ''Do not argue unnecessarily with local people,'' and ''keep your hands in plain sight'' if you are involved in a traffic accident or a near-miss.

THE LAW

Under the law, which was passed at the urging of the National Rifle Association, Floridians may use deadly force against an attacker, even if they could have fled, and requires prosecutors to presume that they acted in self-defense.

''We are not trying to scare people, the Florida Legislature scared people,'' Hamm said.

The Brady Coalition is urging the Legislature to repeal the law, but short of that, ''we think people need to be aware of this new law,'' Hamm said. ``They need to act accordingly and they need to make their decision to come to Florida accordingly.''

The governor's office blasted the campaign as a gimmick to inflame public opinion with false information.

''We think this is ridiculous,'' said Alia Faraj, the governor's spokeswoman. ``Florida's crime rate has reached a 34-year low and the 80 million visitors who came to our state can attest to that. It's tragic that they would use gimmicks like that to scare people.''

The measure expanded Florida's ''castle doctrine'' law -- named after the philosophy that ''a man's home is his castle'' -- which holds that a person has a right to shoot first in self-defense in his home.

The previous law required anyone attacked in a public place to retreat first before using deadly force in self-defense, but the new law removed the obligation to flee. Gun-rights supporters say the change will serve as a stronger deterrent against crime.

Lawmakers adopted the proposal 94-20 in the Florida House, unanimously in the Senate and the governor signed it into law at a special ceremony with the NRA.

Some prosecutors warned the law would legalize duels, by allowing bar fights and neighborhood squabbles to escalate into gunfights. Other law-enforcement officials supported the measure, saying it did little to alter the practical effect of existing law.

OTHER STATES

The NRA exported the measure to others states as model legislation. A bill with identical language is now pending before the Michigan legislature, and Brady's group is determined to halt its progress.

The group's main concern is that the law will be abused to defend people who shoot in the emotional rage that often accompanies domestic violence, when people are under the influence of alcohol or during incidents of road rage, Hamm said. He said the law has already been used as a defense in at least one case -- a Sarasota man who shot a driver he thought had slashed his tires -- and is likely to be used again.

''We want to start a genuine conversation about repealing this law and the sooner the better because, unfortunately, there will probably have to be some unnecessary violence before the Legislature takes notice,'' he said.

Miami Heral Link

Tangle · September 23rd, 2005, 08:56 AM

I guess they don't realize the "enter at your own risk" sign needs to be in Washington D.C., not Florida.

buzzg · September 23rd, 2005, 09:58 AM

Ah, the Brady Bunch. I don't know if this belongs here, but this link will provide an interesting "crime clock" and it also tracks the lawful defensive use of firearms by citizens, something you'll never see in the mainstream.
http://www.toptips.com/CrimeClock.htm

P95Carry · September 23rd, 2005, 11:42 AM

There was a time in the not so distant past, when tourists entering FL were at high risk from car-jackings and stick-ups in general.

Over time since FL carry has become almost the ideal, those crimes have fallen back to near minor levels, by comparison.

So actually these days, the tourist pretty much has it made for a pretty safe visit - and I can only think they might be at any risk if they themselves decide to be goblins!!

Quote:

The new law ''may lead to the reckless use of guns on the streets of Florida cities,'' the one-page flier reads. The ads will warn that after Oct. 1, visitors ''face a greater risk of bodily harm in Florida,'' said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Washington-based advocacy group.

There is no smilie I can find that really suits that crock - at least, not one you'd wanna see!

RSSZ · September 23rd, 2005, 12:36 PM

I think that what it tells the new arrivals to Fla. is, "If your here to do us harm you had better go to a state that has very firm gun control/carry laws in place. They have had their rights taken away so you should not be in fear of your life there. In Fla. you have a real good chance of being killed while in the act of murder,armed robery,car jackin',home invasion,rape,or another crime that we Floridians might feel that our life could be threatened over." --------

scbair · September 23rd, 2005, 03:10 PM

Hmmmm . . . Warning out-of-staters to not argue with the locals unnecessarily. In other words, don't go to Florida and tell Floridians how they oughtta live!

An unintended benefit of the new law!

rstickle · September 23rd, 2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miggy

TALLAHASSEE - Enter Florida at your own risk. That's the message supporters of gun control are sending in an ad campaign designed to warn visitors about Florida's new law allowing victims to shoot first in self-defense without fear of prosecution.

Not so fast there!!

It's true!!

Visitors to Florida are going to be at greater risk!!

Remember this is the state that has the bad guys that are smart enough to pick on tourists, because they know that they are (usually) unarmed. No bad guy would DARE pick on a "native" because they know they might be blown away!

(And remember scarcasm IS free!

)

September 23rd, 2005, 08:53 AM	#1
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,530	Brady Bunch. How low can they go? Just when I thought they couldn't go any lower, they prove me wrong ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Group opposed to new gun law targets tourists Gun-control advocates will warn visitors to Florida that a new state self-defense law that starts Oct. 1 puts them in jeopardy. Gov. Jeb Bush's spokeswoman called the campaign `ridiculous.' By MARY ELLEN KLAS meklas@herald.com TALLAHASSEE - Enter Florida at your own risk. That's the message supporters of gun control are sending in an ad campaign designed to warn visitors about Florida's new law allowing victims to shoot first in self-defense without fear of prosecution. The law, passed by the Florida Legislature in the spring and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush, takes effect Oct. 1. That's the day the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence will start its newspaper ad campaign in London, Chicago, Boston and Detroit and hand out fliers to arriving passengers at Miami International Airport. The new law ''may lead to the reckless use of guns on the streets of Florida cities,'' the one-page flier reads. The ads will warn that after Oct. 1, visitors ''face a greater risk of bodily harm in Florida,'' said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Washington-based advocacy group. The fliers urge tourists to take precautions, such as: ''Do not argue unnecessarily with local people,'' and ''keep your hands in plain sight'' if you are involved in a traffic accident or a near-miss. THE LAW Under the law, which was passed at the urging of the National Rifle Association, Floridians may use deadly force against an attacker, even if they could have fled, and requires prosecutors to presume that they acted in self-defense. ''We are not trying to scare people, the Florida Legislature scared people,'' Hamm said. The Brady Coalition is urging the Legislature to repeal the law, but short of that, ''we think people need to be aware of this new law,'' Hamm said. ``They need to act accordingly and they need to make their decision to come to Florida accordingly.'' The governor's office blasted the campaign as a gimmick to inflame public opinion with false information. ''We think this is ridiculous,'' said Alia Faraj, the governor's spokeswoman. ``Florida's crime rate has reached a 34-year low and the 80 million visitors who came to our state can attest to that. It's tragic that they would use gimmicks like that to scare people.'' The measure expanded Florida's ''castle doctrine'' law -- named after the philosophy that ''a man's home is his castle'' -- which holds that a person has a right to shoot first in self-defense in his home. The previous law required anyone attacked in a public place to retreat first before using deadly force in self-defense, but the new law removed the obligation to flee. Gun-rights supporters say the change will serve as a stronger deterrent against crime. Lawmakers adopted the proposal 94-20 in the Florida House, unanimously in the Senate and the governor signed it into law at a special ceremony with the NRA. Some prosecutors warned the law would legalize duels, by allowing bar fights and neighborhood squabbles to escalate into gunfights. Other law-enforcement officials supported the measure, saying it did little to alter the practical effect of existing law. OTHER STATES The NRA exported the measure to others states as model legislation. A bill with identical language is now pending before the Michigan legislature, and Brady's group is determined to halt its progress. The group's main concern is that the law will be abused to defend people who shoot in the emotional rage that often accompanies domestic violence, when people are under the influence of alcohol or during incidents of road rage, Hamm said. He said the law has already been used as a defense in at least one case -- a Sarasota man who shot a driver he thought had slashed his tires -- and is likely to be used again. ''We want to start a genuine conversation about repealing this law and the sooner the better because, unfortunately, there will probably have to be some unnecessary violence before the Legislature takes notice,'' he said. Miami Heral Link __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net

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September 23rd, 2005, 08:56 AM	#2
Tangle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 5,788	I guess they don't realize the "enter at your own risk" sign needs to be in Washington D.C., not Florida.

September 23rd, 2005, 09:58 AM	#3
buzzg Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 132	Ah, the Brady Bunch. I don't know if this belongs here, but this link will provide an interesting "crime clock" and it also tracks the lawful defensive use of firearms by citizens, something you'll never see in the mainstream. http://www.toptips.com/CrimeClock.htm

September 23rd, 2005, 12:36 PM	#5
RSSZ Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,847	I think that what it tells the new arrivals to Fla. is, "If your here to do us harm you had better go to a state that has very firm gun control/carry laws in place. They have had their rights taken away so you should not be in fear of your life there. In Fla. you have a real good chance of being killed while in the act of murder,armed robery,car jackin',home invasion,rape,or another crime that we Floridians might feel that our life could be threatened over." --------

September 23rd, 2005, 03:10 PM	#6
scbair Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 76	Hmmmm . . . Warning out-of-staters to not argue with the locals unnecessarily. In other words, don't go to Florida and tell Floridians how they oughtta live! An unintended benefit of the new law!