Wild, Wild Florida

There’s a piece of legislation that has been sent to Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s desk that needs some examination and support by gun owners around the country.   Indeed, from all appearances it promises to revolutionize the way society views guns, and in particular those who are licensed to carry them.

Every time gun laws are liberalized we hear the same old retorts by the non-gun owning public.   Just like when Minnesota went from a “may issue” to a “shall issue” state on conceal carry permits, we heard the rhetoric that it would be a repeat of the Wild, Wild West.   There would be shootouts at the Metrodome during Viking games, hospitals would be overrun with new shooting victims, society as we now (or then) knew it would be ruined.

Two years later…nothing!   Even though the media would like nothing better than to exploit “bad legislation”…given their silence, it has simply not happened.

So now eyes turn to Florida.   Only a week or so after the world was seemingly fixated on a dying woman (Terri Schiavo), now the state of Florida passes legislation to allow gun owners to use deadly force no matter where they might be.   Previously the “castle doctrine,” which is observed in most states, means you must retreat before using deadly force.   In other words, deadly force must be a last option or the shooter risks imprisonment or at best, a lawsuit.   Now, however, the Florida law means force may be met with like force in a public place or anywhere a person has a legal right to be.   Furthermore, if you see someone else is in trouble you now have the right to intercede to act appropriately on their behalf.   In contrast, most laws in other states are not clear on a citizen being able to do that.

I’ve been a long-standing supporter of the Second Amendment and the rights it grants the citizenry of this country.   I happen to believe that most people who take the time to get licensed to carry a pistol take the responsibility very seriously and act appropriately when exercising that right.   In light of what is happening in Florida, I applaud their efforts to expand the gun rights for citizens who accept this responsibility.

Once all the hype blows over of Florida turning into another Wild, Wild West…the world will eventually see guns found in the right hands do far more good than harm.   Of course, when this happens the media will be sure to avoid the subject for fear of validating they were wrong.   You just wait and see.   Once this law become effective the media will use every opportunity to act as if it doesn’t exist.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.