Ad Campaign Warns Tourists About New Florida Gun Law -- GOPUSA

Ad Campaign Warns Tourists About New Florida Gun Law
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
September 28, 2005

(CNSNews.com) -- A gun control group is trying scare tourists away from Florida, where a new self-defense law allows people to shoot anyone who breaks into a home, occupied vehicle, or place of business.

Under the new law, the intruder is presumed to have criminal intent, justifying the use of force. The law also removes a person's "duty to retreat" if that person is attacked in any place he or she has a right to be.

Supporters call it the "Stand Your Ground" law, but opponents call it the "Shoot First" law.

Gov. Bush called it "a good, commonsense, anti-crime" law that defers to the law-abiding victim.

But the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said the new law will protect "every rogue with an itchy trigger finger in Florida."

The Brady Campaign on Tuesday announced the launch of what it calls a "public education effort" to inform potential Florida tourists that come October 1, when the new law takes effect, "they face a greater risk of bodily harm within the state of Florida."

"Individuals who are unfamiliar with Florida's roads, traffic regulations and customs, or who speak foreign languages, or look different than Florida residents, may face a higher risk of danger -- because they may be more likely to be perceived as threatening by Floridians, and because they are unaware of Florida's new law that says individual who feel their safety is threatened or their possessions are at risk are legally authorized to use deadly force," the Brady Campaign said in a press release.

"We think people visiting Florida should be aware of this law, and act accordingly," said Sarah Brady, chair of the Brady Campaign. "Visitors should be very careful about getting into an aggressive argument with anyone during their stay."

The Brady Campaign said it will run advertisements in key U.S. gateway cities feeding tourists to Florida, starting with Chicago, Detroit and Boston; and in selected overseas markets beginning with the United Kingdom beginning on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Information from the gun control group's point of view is going out to journalists as well as trade and travel publications.

The ad reads: "Thinking about a Florida vacation? Please ensure your family is safe. A new law in the Sunshine State authorizes nervous or frightened residents to use deadly force. In Florida, avoid disputes. Use special caution in arguing with motorists on Florida roads. Police and prosecutors are concerned about the potential for unnecessary violence."

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Brady Campaign said trained staff will begin distributing educational materials to passengers arriving at Miami International Airport; and the effort may extend to additional airport in coming weeks.

The pamphlets read, in part: "The 'Shoot First' law is a new law in Florida that police, prosecuting attorneys and gun violence prevention advocates worry may lead to the reckless use of guns on the streets of Florida cities. Before the law was passed, Floridians could carry concealed guns in public places, but they could only use those guns as a last resort when safe avoidance of injury was otherwise not possible. The new law eliminates the duty to avoid the threat and, instead, allows the gun user to 'shoot first' to eliminate the threat."

The flyer suggests specific steps visitors should take: "Avoid unnecessary arguments with local people; stay in their cars and keep hands in plain sight if involved in a traffic accident or near-miss; and maintain a positive attitude and avoid shouting or threatening gestures if someone appears to be hostile toward them.

"It is not difficult to imagine likely situations in which individuals may use lethal force where they did not before," the Brady Campaign said.

"An argument on the highway, or a disagreement in a restaurant or nightclub, or a dispute over belongings in a public place such as a beach could lead to unnecessary use of force."