The Muskogee Daily Phoenix & Times-Democrat on stand your ground law

<snip> The Florida House passed the bill early this month, following the Florida Senate's unanimous approval. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said he will sign it.

It allows everyone in a public place to defend themselves if they believe they are in danger of death or great bodily harm and even if they do not try to run away first. A similar bill is in the Oklahoma Legislature.

But we don't need a law like that. We already have the right to self-defense. It may not be as liberal as some want, as the Florida proposal is, but what Florida has done is given anyone the right to blow another person away just because someone thought another person appeared harmful, not because that someone was causing harm.

There are reasons to be suspicious at times and to be on guard, but Oklahoma does not need to encourage violence. Stand your ground may have been something people in territory days felt as if they needed, but we don't want to return to those days.

http://pryordailytimes.com/articles/2005/04/27/news_content/editorial/edit02.txt

"... given anyone the right to blow another person away just because someone thought another person appeared harmful, not because that someone was causing harm."

This law is a license to kill ... period. If you put a bullet in someone's head, all you have to do is tell the authorities that you thought that person was a threat to you because of they way he looked at you or because of a remark he made or because someone told you that they heard another person say that the dead guy was possibly going to hurt you at some point in the future. :eyes:

What is the purpose of this law? Everyone has a right to defend themselves under current law, so why would anyone think this is a good idea? Can you imagine the bloodbath that sports bars are going to become? One Sunday afternoon in the near future, some Miami Dolphins fans are going to get into a heated argument with some NY Jets fans and everyone is going to believe their life is in danger, so they'll draw their weapons and ... game over. :-( :mad:

the first time somebody blows someone else away and cries "self-defense", only to learn their victim was unarmed. What will be the legal precedent then? How do the courts rule? Oh well, personally, I'd like to see a return to the days of the Wild West, I really like Clint Eastwood (oh wait? he's not a real cowboy?)

Note: I'm kidding about the last part

Collateral Damage obviously being a loaded term. But what provisions are in these laws if you gun down an innocent bystander because you felt threatened, even if the threat was legitimate? Or what happens if you accidentally blow up a gas station?

Japanese exchange student in New Orleans at Halloween. Knocked at the wrong door, got blown away. Shooter aquitted.

However, one can rationally assume in Florida that any right-wing repug blowhard is armed with a concealed handgun (A-OK in FL!), and therefore should be gunned down as soon as they get a bit irate.

Welcome to DU!! :toast: