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I think we need more legislators like Durell Peaden
From the Pensacola News Journal
TALLAHASSEE -- Floridians no longer have to try to avoid or escape an assailant before killing such an assailant to protect themselves.
A new law takes effect today that has drawn national attention. And it has roots in Pensacola.
It's called the "stand your ground" law. It was passed by the Legislature in April -- at the behest of the National Rifle Association -- and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush the same month.
The new law provides immunity to those who use deadly force in defense of life and limb, eliminating a previous requirement that a person first attempt to flee a threat before taking a life.
State Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, who sponsored the bill, was inspired by James Workman, who killed an intruder in his southwest Escambia County home in the early hours of Nov. 3, 2004.
The State Attorney's Office investigated and filed no charges, which critics of the new law cite as evidence that self-defense provisions already were sufficient. Peaden said Workman should have been spared the investigation.
The law has drawn sharp criticism from some civil rights organizations. In May, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference staged a protest in Pensacola.
Now, as "stand your ground" becomes state law, anti-gun violence advocates are launching a campaign to inform visitors and others of what it considers a dangerous situation.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is buying newspaper ads and handing out fliers in at least one Florida airport.
Among the fliers' suggestions: "Do not argue unnecessarily with local people."
Said Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady group: "The law has taken a profound new step toward a general blessing of gun violence in public places. It was our job to educate as many people as possible."
As initially proposed, the law also drew opposition from law enforcement groups and prosecutors because the bill made them criminally and civilly liable if they filed charges against people who are later vindicated under the criteria of the new law.
Changes were made, however, that satisfied them.
Assistant Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons said he did not believe the law would have much effect on the use of deadly force.
"I wouldn't say we're overly concerned with it," he said. "We're hopeful that people will be prudent."
Peaden suggested the new law might even serve as a deterrent.
"With the awareness of all this, maybe crime is dropping," Peaden said. "The criminal element, they know this is out there."
The Rev. Hugh King, president of the Pensacola chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, fears the new statute might promote unnecessary violence.
"It gives every citizen the same discretionary power to use deadly force that is sometimes abused by trained law enforcement officers," he said. "That's dangerous. We want to get this law repealed before we see the bloodshed escalate. ... We don't want it to become a move backward toward vigilante justice."
Hamm harbors similar concerns.
"It's a horrible message that the public seems to have received about this law," he said. "We hope not, but we are certainly worried that (more shootings) will be the case."
Hamm is not discouraging people from visiting Florida, but he believes it is important that tourists be informed, he said. The group will hand out informational fliers starting Monday at Miami International Airport. It also is purchasing advertisements in Boston, London, Chicago and Detroit newspapers with warnings.
Hamm said the new law is a dangerous solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
"Our jails are not full of people who shot someone in self-defense," he said.
Peaden cast the law as a matter of principle.
"It doesn't matter if these statutes are never used. At least it's on the books," he said. "We need to do everything we can ... to preserve that Second Amendment right."
News Journal staff writer Brett Norman contributed to this report.
From the Pensacola News Journal
TALLAHASSEE -- Floridians no longer have to try to avoid or escape an assailant before killing such an assailant to protect themselves.
A new law takes effect today that has drawn national attention. And it has roots in Pensacola.
It's called the "stand your ground" law. It was passed by the Legislature in April -- at the behest of the National Rifle Association -- and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush the same month.
The new law provides immunity to those who use deadly force in defense of life and limb, eliminating a previous requirement that a person first attempt to flee a threat before taking a life.
State Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, who sponsored the bill, was inspired by James Workman, who killed an intruder in his southwest Escambia County home in the early hours of Nov. 3, 2004.
The State Attorney's Office investigated and filed no charges, which critics of the new law cite as evidence that self-defense provisions already were sufficient. Peaden said Workman should have been spared the investigation.
The law has drawn sharp criticism from some civil rights organizations. In May, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference staged a protest in Pensacola.
Now, as "stand your ground" becomes state law, anti-gun violence advocates are launching a campaign to inform visitors and others of what it considers a dangerous situation.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is buying newspaper ads and handing out fliers in at least one Florida airport.
Among the fliers' suggestions: "Do not argue unnecessarily with local people."
Said Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady group: "The law has taken a profound new step toward a general blessing of gun violence in public places. It was our job to educate as many people as possible."
As initially proposed, the law also drew opposition from law enforcement groups and prosecutors because the bill made them criminally and civilly liable if they filed charges against people who are later vindicated under the criteria of the new law.
Changes were made, however, that satisfied them.
Assistant Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons said he did not believe the law would have much effect on the use of deadly force.
"I wouldn't say we're overly concerned with it," he said. "We're hopeful that people will be prudent."
Peaden suggested the new law might even serve as a deterrent.
"With the awareness of all this, maybe crime is dropping," Peaden said. "The criminal element, they know this is out there."
The Rev. Hugh King, president of the Pensacola chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, fears the new statute might promote unnecessary violence.
"It gives every citizen the same discretionary power to use deadly force that is sometimes abused by trained law enforcement officers," he said. "That's dangerous. We want to get this law repealed before we see the bloodshed escalate. ... We don't want it to become a move backward toward vigilante justice."
Hamm harbors similar concerns.
"It's a horrible message that the public seems to have received about this law," he said. "We hope not, but we are certainly worried that (more shootings) will be the case."
Hamm is not discouraging people from visiting Florida, but he believes it is important that tourists be informed, he said. The group will hand out informational fliers starting Monday at Miami International Airport. It also is purchasing advertisements in Boston, London, Chicago and Detroit newspapers with warnings.
Hamm said the new law is a dangerous solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
"Our jails are not full of people who shot someone in self-defense," he said.
Peaden cast the law as a matter of principle.
"It doesn't matter if these statutes are never used. At least it's on the books," he said. "We need to do everything we can ... to preserve that Second Amendment right."
News Journal staff writer Brett Norman contributed to this report.
I kept wanting to pick at the divots in the floor.