Shoot First Law

[nachovx]

Don't get into an aggressive argument with a resident of Florida from today ... they can legally shoot you dead

About time we had the same.

[Sarah]

Without getting into an aggressive argument....
I think thats pretty piss-poor - excuse my american.
x

[slamdaddy]

That is pretty stupid. A first resort is to shoot someone dead? Threatened in your own home I'd agree with, but as a first resort, in public, is just plain stupid.

[Pervert]

Why don't you move to the US, Nachovx? That way you can be happy with some people who embrace your outlook on life, and you can pontificate on where Blighty has gone wrong safe in the knowledge that anyone disagreeing with you can be offed if you feel the urge.

[nachovx]

Don't blame me, I didn't enact the law.

[Deuce Bigolo]

Sounds like the wild west is about to make a comeback in the East

Expect to see a few more road rage incidents esculating to murder

Its got Hollywood blockbuster written all over it

Happy Trails-NOT

Never visited America and what with their wild weather from coast to coast & bizarre laws think I'll just watch them from afar on the TV via the documentary channel

cheers
B....OZ

[Dorrin]

Need the middle ground between the stupidy of shooting who you want ie Florida and the just as stupid idea of being arrested for protecting your home and family ie here. Recent case of householder arrested for beating off 2 arseoles who were breaking into his home is the latest of a long line of the same. What goes through the Policemans mind when he makes such an arrest? too many Chief Constables being PC and worrying about the rights of the criminals.
Be interesting to see what sentense those 3 violent girls who have just been convicted of the manslaughter of that young girl will get. I've no doubt the bleeding hearts will blame the system, TV, films and their upbringing and they will end up being "helped" and not punished for their violence.

[nachovx]

It's not as straight forward as a person shooting others at will. The law is actually called 'Force with Force'. It has always been the case that Florida residents could shoot intruders in their homes or cars (carjacking) - only it's been extended to public areas. Firstly you need to be licensed to carry a concealed weapon ... and only 350,000 out of 17.5 Million people are. And you can't just shoot indiscriminately, you actually have to feel in danger or be helping someone else in danger. The only way the new law differs from the previous is you don't need to retreat if there is a way out without shooting or inflicting deadly force - you are now able to just shoot, but the police still need to be convinced you were in danger. The police don't support this law but it got through with backing from the National Rifle Association and state senators. Similar laws are on the way for other states.

Florida already has the 2nd highest gun murder rate after South Carolina - and it hasn't stopped many UK residents going to Orlando.

[Pervert]

There's a lot to fear in the US, but the NRA and others feed that fear. One of the worst post-Katrina reports I saw on the telly involved Baton Rouge, which had doubled in size since New Orleans was hit by the hurricane, and where one gun shop had seen its business rise incredibly---from about 15 weapons a week to over 1000 in three days. The view of the weapons buyers was summed up by one person who said that with all these folks moving in, he needed to protect his property.