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In reply to the discussion: Apparently, in FL you can shoot and kill anybody walking down the street, [View all]spin
(17,493 posts)16. It isn't quite that simple ...
The 2011 Florida Statutes
JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
776.013 Home protection; use of deadly force; presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm.
(1) A person is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to another if:
(a) The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against that persons will from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle; and
***snip***
(3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.emphasis added
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0776/Sections/0776.013.html
The new law removed the duty to retreat if attacked and is often called the 'Stand Your Ground' law. Under both the old and new versions of the self defense you can use lethal force to stop an attack that would lead to serious injury or death, but under the old law you could be prosecuted if you hadn't made some effort to retreat. Running from a thug with a gun is an acceptable tactic but it may lead to you being shot in the back. Many feel that your chances of surviving such an attack are higher if you stand your ground and fight. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue.
Use of Deadly Force for Lawful Self-Defense
Q. Are there special laws that apply to the use of Handguns?
A. Yes, special laws apply anytime anyone uses deadly force, whether or not the weapon is concealed. Florida law defines deadly force as force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm. When you carry a handgun, you possess a weapon of deadly force. The law considers even an unloaded gun to be a deadly weapon when it is pointed at someone.
Q. When can I use my handgun to protect myself?
A. Florida law justifies use of deadly force when you are:
Trying to protect yourself or another person from death or serious bodily harm;
Trying to prevent a forcible felony, such as rape, robbery, burglary or kidnapping.
Using or displaying a handgun in any other circumstances could result in your conviction for crimes such as improper exhibition of a firearm, manslaughter, or worse.
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/self_defense.html
If you shoot someone on the street the police will investigate. You will face prosecution if they believe that you used lethal force without good reason. It's quite possible that a jury will determine your fate.
Of course this law is disliked by most of the media and groups who oppose firearm ownership and the current nationwide trend to allow honest citizens to legally carry firearms.
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Apparently, in FL you can shoot and kill anybody walking down the street, [View all]
MoonRiver
Mar 2012
OP
Actually, this is the "Stand Your Ground" doctrine. If you feel threatened, commence firing.
11 Bravo
Mar 2012
#26
I'll probably just stay out of FL along with TX and a few other southern places
MoonRiver
Mar 2012
#7
Shooter was hispanic in this case. I realize yours was a knee-jerk reaction, but you should
Egalitariat
Mar 2012
#41
Shooter was named George Zimmerman. Some newspapers called him Hispanic (I don't know why).
Comrade Grumpy
Mar 2012
#54
Trust me, we all got the point, and MineralMan identified it quite succinctly.
11 Bravo
Mar 2012
#27
Shhhh! You'll ruin the narrative. Don't you know this is how the SOUTH is?
cherokeeprogressive
Mar 2012
#36
As you may or may not know, the Police don't necessarily decide who to charge with a crime in...
Egalitariat
Mar 2012
#42
You think "the gun people" are stupid, but feel the need to clue in DUers parenthetically
cherokeeprogressive
Mar 2012
#37
I wish I could reach out through the 'Net and shoot writers who misuse hyperbole
slackmaster
Mar 2012
#48
In Florida, you can bomb an airliner killing women and children and walk the street freely
Major Nikon
Mar 2012
#55