Florida tourists (from Britain) warned that locals could shoot them

[truthpusher]

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2014492005

Fri 30 Sep 2005
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Florida tourists warned that locals could shoot them
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ALASTAIR JAMIESON
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IT IS Britain's most popular transatlantic holiday destination, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors a year with its sun-drenched beaches, theme parks and wildlife.

But Florida's £30 billion tourism industry is under threat from a campaign launched by a gun-control group which warns visitors they could be killed.

A series of alarming adverts, to be placed in British newspapers, warns potential tourists about a new law allowing gun owners to shoot anyone they believe threatens their safety.

It means thousands of British families who travel to the Sunshine State are now caught up in the ongoing political row over gun control in the United States.

The Florida law, supported by the National Rifle Association, was approved by the state legislature in April.

(snip)

"Warning: Florida residents can use deadly force," says one of the adverts. Another reads: "Thinking about a Florida vacation? Please ensure your family is safe. In Florida, avoid disputes. Use special caution in arguing with motorists on Florida roads."

(snip)

complete story: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2014492005

[skooooo]

1. I can do without going to Florida...

...this is just nuts.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. How many deaths under this law do you think it will take before Jeb's

law comes under the axe?

[liberalhistorian]

17. Oh, trust me, they'll never

point to the law as the cause, they'll spout their usual nonsense about how "irresponsible people" and not the guns are the problem, etc., etc., ad nauseaum. Reason number 4,599 why I'm glad I haven't been to Florida in ten years and don't care if I never go there again.

[Cha]

6. Yeah, how would jeebie

like it if the state were boycotted because of the law he thinks is so fantastic?

[ellenfl]

8. unfortunately, i can't. this is as bad as the concealed weapon

law that went into effect right after i returned to florida in '88.

ellen fl

[bonito]

2. Advice from a floridian

Hot heads almost always find trouble at there door, and arguing with other motorists has always been stupid. while I don't condone deadly force period, I think the incidents of assault will go down, because the assaulter will think first before engaging in conflict. besides, florida isn't a war zone.

[skooooo]

4. time will tell....

[Lindacooks]

29. Ha - not according to Dave Barry.

And Carl Hiaasen. You honestly think that assault are going to go down? That lame excuse has been around since the beginning of time, and it has NEVER been proven true.

[Roy]

38. Or be sure that he draws first if a threat is perceived and .....

he thinks the other guy is carrying.

[anotherdrew]

5. what if someone feels threatened by bush's policies?

I'm just saying, what if?

[bonito]

10. Gota remember, Gov. Jeb is his brother.

[Darth Lib]

7. P.S. paid for by the California Tourist Assn.

[Scurrilous]

13. LOL

True! :thumbsup:

[pitohui]

9. this is so overblown

americans have always had guns, they could have always used deadly force

use common sense, don't commit rapes & home invasions, & you'll be fine

[GOPFighter]

11. Yeah, right.

Tell that to the family of the Japanese exchange student who got shot to death because a Louisiana homeowner (and gunowner) felt "threatened".

[brentspeak]

12. That was the Halloween incident, I think

The Japanese student, on his way to a Halloween party, showed up at a wrong address wearing a Halloween mask. For whatever reason, the homeowner stuck a gun in the student's face when he answered the doorbell, and the Japanese kid, thinking the gun was part of the Halloween spirit and not very good with English, got shot and killed.

[pitohui]

20. baton rouge, louisiana

not florida

no special law passed

there will always be idjits

a piece of paper don't change that

i think ppl can still visit florida, i would if i wasn't boycotting because of the selection 2000 crap, i'm prob. the last boycotter alive but i wouldn't be running screaming in fear because of this particular law

[TankLV]

25. Yeah idiots with guns with a license to kill.

This is so bad on too many levels.

We should do what they did in the old west, since that is what the gun nuts want - TAKE AWAY EVERYBODY'S GUN THE MOMENT THEY ENTER A COMMUNITY.

[pitohui]

19. yes & it wasn't because we had a special law passed

there was no law saying it was cool to kill the japanese, the dude freaked out, the court whitewashed it

no special law needed

do you think it's any different in florida?

this was ALWAYS a possibility, you just play the odds

i visit many nations where in theory i could be blown away w. no retribution but you can't live like that, assuming the worse

[RaRa]

15. You're totally right but

I can't help that my first reaction was "bahhhhaaaaa" to Florida. Sorry, nothing personal, but I love the idea of sticking it to a Bush.

[confrontationclaws]

16. Not really overblown...

Here's what it says:

Florida Statute s. 776.013(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.

It's a substantial change, actually, extending the "Castle Doctrine" (no duty to retreat in one's home, basically), to, let's say, the local Wal-Mart parking lot. Think someone's about to mug you? Shoot 'em! Think the lady in the next aisle is abouty to have her purse snatched? Fire away! (Yes, a purse snatching would qualify as a forcible felony...it's not just rapes and home invasions.)

(Maybe if tourism is affected, we can legalize casino gambling to get them back! One could hope...)

[Javaman]

36. And we all know how well guns and gambling go together...

[PaulaFarrell]

32. British tourists were murdered in Florida a few years ago

Probably why they chose Britain to start placing the ads. They will definitely strike a chord.

[brentspeak]

14. Tourists have been killed by local thugs

Lots of horror stories in Florida of tourists being carjacked, mugged, and occasionally killed by local thugs, who usually hang around airports looking for easy victims. So either way, by local thugs or local gun nuts, tourists don't have it easy in the Sunshine State.

[bobbieinok]

18. a few yrs ago several tourists killed at FL rest stops.....several Germans

[pitohui]

21. oh i know "deadly paradise"

wasn't that what they called it? jeez, that was like 1990, they had to change the markings on rental cars so it wasn't immediately obvious you had an un-armed foreigner

it's a shame that there are predators but the predators prey w. or w.out this new law

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

22. I like to go away

On a Florida holiday
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

Muggers look in my direction
When they see my pale complexion
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

They know I'm Canadian just by the things I say
I don't know how they do it. Like, it's amazin', eh?
They mug us 'cause they know that we will never go to court
Or come back to Florida without a police escort

We don't carry guns because we know people get hurt
Bearing arms in Canada means taking off your shirt
Our idea of violence is usually no more
Than trying to sit five at a table meant for four

I'm afraid my sunscreen
Won't stop an M16
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

They'll know where I'm from
When I put my Speedo on
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

Lifeguards keep us covered, sunbathing by the shore
Bodyguards keep us covered at the convenience store
Feel the excitement, from Key West to Jacksonville
If a hurricane don't get ya, a mugger prob'ly will

This time, the newspapers won't make fun of us
Like they did a few years ago, and it caused so much fuss
'Cause now, when I am photographed, I will look my best
My big beer belly hidden behind a bullet-proof vest

Insurance that is best
Covers combat stress
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

I'll be quite the charmer
With my body armour
Where the guns shine in the sunshine
In the Gunshine State

(c) Bowser & Blue

[Logansquare]

23. So, the gun industry is going to get a taste of their own medicine

They've used scare tactics for years to ease firearms re1gulation. "A big inner-city baboon will rape your wife, so you need armor-piercing bullets!"

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. I predict more Floridians shooting their own kids in the back

[davepc]

24. Why, do British tourists do home invasions and carjackings on holiday?

If they do not do such activities, I fail to see how the law would affect them in any way.

And if British tourists do participate in home invasions or carjackings while on holiday in Florida, they should take extra care to ensure their victim doesn't have ready access to a firearm.

[Art_from_Ark]

27. I know some Japanese students who are going to Britain

They have been warned that the London police could shoot them.

[shadowknows69]

28. Way to go Jeb`

those shootings at Disney World are going to look great on your resume. Oughta do lovely things to your karma too. One can hope anyway.

[Dr Fate]

30. "Culture of Life" n/t

n/t

[teryang]

31. Florida come on vacation- leave on probation

Florida is a police state folks. The danger isn't from gun toting citizens with concealed carry permits, its from an underclass on crack.

[Mojorabbit]

33. I know I am in the minority

on this issue but as a disabled woman who is home alone alot...if someone breaks into my house I am glad to know I won't be sued by an attacker if I need to use my gun.

I have a shotgun which I prefer because of the click clack noise it makes. Everyone knows that sound. If that is not enough to scare anyone away then I am prepared to use it.

I am a proficient shot. A childhood friend of mine was shot and killed last year by a burgler in his own home a few blocks from me.

[indepat]

34. Sorta like a nation claiming it has right attack any nation it feels like

[northzax]

35. it is perfectly fair

to warn someone that they are entering a violent society. And yes, we are more violent than any other 'developed' nation. I remember living in England, homicides made the national news. Here they don't make the front section of the local paper, unless they are particularly interesting, or involve white victims, of course)

people visiting the US need to understand that our loonies have guns, and will use them. (no, having a gun doesn't make you a loonie) and that they need to take more care.

[Kailassa]

37. no guns, no worries

The last time someone broke into my house I was at home alone and he was crazy. I talked to him, calmed him down, and then walked him to his friend's place. A few years before that I walked in on a burglar, he apologised, I cooked him lunch. I'm comfortable travelling alone at night on almost deserted trains. But this is Australia, where small-time crooks don't carry guns. Once guns are commonplace everything changes.