What exactly does the new Florida law say?

[VT_Hunter1980]

The new Florida law has been in the news quite a bit, but no one seems to give any details about it. Does the law outline what is considered a threat? For instance, I think there is a difference between someone being a jerk and posing a threat. I don't consider someone swearing at me or flipping me off a threat. Someone else, however, might. I can't imagine that someone saying "he gave me a threatening look, so I shot him," would hold up in court.

If the law does define what constitutes a threat, it's a good idea. If it leaves it completely open ended, it might be asking for trouble.

Any thoughts?

[rile1564]

I believe it does define things that are considered a threat without going into exact details.Basically it states that you can shoot for the same life and limb circumstances as before but instead of turning your back and running (leaving yourself open to assualt or worse) you get to immediately defend yourself.

[Charley]

Despite what the media says, the law doesn't change the circumstances where deadly force might be justified. It DOES change the 'duty to retreat". Previously, I believe Florida law stated that deadly force may be used only after all other options are exhausted, including retreat from the threat. Now, the duty to retreat is eleminated. If you have a right to be somewhere, you do NOT have to retreat before using deadly force.

[VT_Hunter1980]

Ok, that actually makes some logical sense. Leave it to the media to lead everyone to believe that the law is bringing back the wild west mentality.

[Charley]

Leave it to the media to lead everyone to believe that the law is bringing back the wild west mentality.

Anti gunners and anti-gun organizations harp on that alot. Actually, contrary to movies and TV, the "Wild West" was relatively safe. Kinda like today, if you stayed out of the bars, and didn't get falling down drunk, your odds of something happening to you go down tremendously. I'm old enough to remember when people didn't lock their doors...that dates back to that same "Wild West" time period.

For instance, I think there is a difference between someone being a jerk and posing a threat. I don't consider someone swearing at me or flipping me off a threat. Someone else, however, might.

A license to carry a weapon is just that. Again, media BS to the contrary, it is NOT a "license to kill". If you shoot somebody without reasonable cause, you WILL be prosecuted, and you WILL very likely do prison time. You also open yourself to civil action by the person you shot, or his family if you happened to kill him. YouWILL loose a wrongfull death lawsuit under those circumstances. If you didn't kill, but crippled or maimed him, you are going to get whacked even worse.You can kiss off anything you ever had or ever will have in that case. Your insurance doesn't cover it, because it was a deliberate act. Easy on that trigger finger there, Bud!

[Tazman]

Owning a gun is a huge responsibilty alone, pulling the trigger surpasses that by a long shot!