Group warning tourists of new Florida gun law

Found on Seattle Times on Friday, 30 September 2005
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This Saturday, it will become legal to use force on an attacker without first trying to escape the confrontation. The new law seals the existing right of residents to protect their homes by shooting intruders - known as the "castle doctrine" - but now also extends that right to public places if people feel threatened with death or bodily harm.

Supporters say the new law, which they dubbed "Stand Your Ground," allows citizens to protect themselves by meeting force with force.

Opponents, who call it the "Shoot First Law," warn it could hand itchy trigger fingers a license to kill.

Championed by the National Rifle Association, the law also makes it legal for someone to use deadly force against anyone who unlawfully or forcefully enters their home or car - even if they are not being attacked.

Marion Hammer, president of Unified Sportsmen of Florida and a former NRA president, said critics are off-base. Pointing out the castle doctrine dates to the 1400s, she said the new law codifies the right of people to use any manner of force to protect their home and its inhabitants.

"No law-abiding citizen should be forced to retreat from an attacker ... in their homes or any place they have a legal right to be," Hammer said.

Shoot first, think later. What a cunning plan. Neither the NRA nor Jeb Bush should talk about something both lack, common sense. And that "castle doctrine" from 1400 (the US wasn't even discovered at that time)... it was also pretty legal back then to burn witches (who knows, maybe this law will come next).