A new gun law passed in Florida could turn the state into the “Wild West”, according to critics.
According to the BBC News website, the law lets people “kill in self-defence on the street without first trying to flee an attacker”; the state’s law already allows people to shoot potential attackers in the home, car or workplace.
The website quotes one critic as saying that the law will only be good for selling more guns and “turning the state into the modern version of the OK Corral”.
However, Dennis Baxley, the Republican sponsor of the bill, is quoted as saying that the law is “about meeting force with force,” adding: “If I am attacked, I should not have to retreat.”
But opponents are less than happy; Democrat Dan Gelber reportedly said: “For a house that talks about the culture of life it is ironic that we should be devaluing life with this bill.”
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com
