Violenza Domestica

[JakeD]

A bill permitting the use of deadly force during a home invasion or when an individual considers themselves threatened unanimously passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday.

The measure (SB 436) would eliminate criminal penalties for an individual who uses deadly force as self-protection in his home or vehicle and other unspecified circumstances.
...
"You have to be within the confines of the dwelling as described in this bill," Peaden said during Wednesday's floor debate. "You just can't shoot anybody on the street and drag 'em in."
Geller said he voted for the bill for political reasons.
"We'd be seen as Democrats soft on crime," he said.

Sure, it says "within the confines of your own home", and I completely sympathize with the idea of deadly force during a home invasion, but the "threatened" part bothers me. Besides, how's the law going to dictate when someone feels threatened and when they don't? By that logic, a kid could kill their sibling during an argument, and everything would be just hunky-dory according to the State of Florida.

[Diva]

I thought we had this already? If someone attacks me in my home and I kill them it's self defence.

I think that the 'threatened' part will make a HUGE loophole for people who get into arguments at their home and it escalates. They're basically saying if someone pisses you off and you kill them... say you felt threatened and nothing will happen. That is so wrong on so many levels.

[Amaurote]

Wow, the Democrats are afraid of appearing soft on issues again. I guess the only solution to that is to drift further to the right. On the minus side, it won't improve people's lives, but on the plus side it will help the Democrats' chances in November 2008 by...oh, wait, it won't do that, either.

[Bassmama]

We have laws like that here in NY. If someone you're arguing with threatens to kick your ass, you can NOT shoot them in self defense- but if they have a knife or have already beaten you & you are afraid for your life, then you can. It's not as simple as it's reported.

If, say, someone broke into my house at night & had a gun & I shot them first, I would be taken to the police station & VERY extensively grilled until they were sure that I didn't invite someone in to purposely kill them. The guidelines are VERY strict. So if Little Johnny shoots his brother for mouthing off to him, LJ is in a WORLD of shit.

[Mr. Bojangles]

In jolly old Texas, if someone breaks into your residence, you can shoot 'em. But if they make it out, you had best just call 911 and let 'em go.

[Draaz]

Or haul there lifeless corpse back in the window Bojangles. :)