I'm thinking of moving to Florida, but not for any reason you might imagine, such as warm weather, blue skies and Disney World.
I want to go there because Gov. Jeb Bush just signed a law that if you believe someone is going to shoot you, you can shoot him first.
It is a fair law and a just law, and the National Rifle Association has worked hard to get it passed.
I never bought a gun in Washington because I could use it only in self-defense in my home, and only as a last resort. Also, I'm not as quick on the draw as I once was.
Why should I move to Florida? Because it is now the land of guns and oranges. You can pack a pistol under your shirt or in your bloomers and be considered a law-abiding citizen.
If I move to Florida, I can think of many ways I can fight crime there.
The first thing that comes to mind is road rage. Whenever someone cuts me off in Virginia or Maryland, my only recourse is to honk my horn and stick my finger out the window at him. It's not very satisfying, but that's all I'm permitted to do.
But now in Florida I can shoot him, because I don't know he won't shoot me first.
Florida has a large elderly population, and many of them stand in line at restaurants for dinner every night. What used to make it such a lawless state was that people were constantly jumping the line. Now under the new law, if you are threatened by a person who tries to get in front of you, you can say, "Get back in line or you are one dead senior citizen."
The law, called the "stand your ground" statute, says that you can defend yourself not only in your home but also in your car and on the street.
Another place where having a hidden gun might be important is at a basketball game. How can you be sure the guy sitting next to you isn't a rabid rooter for the other side and won't start throwing beer bottles on the court? You don't have to shoot him -- unless he looks as if he's going to draw first.
What makes this such a good law is that it was fashioned by the NRA. The key part reads, "A person who is not engaged in unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be" can use deadly force without first trying to flee.
The NRA intends to get the same law passed in every state. The group knows it will be a popular bill that every American can live with, unless he is shot to death by another American.
Some critics aren't sure the legislation goes far enough.
One person told me, "People shouldn't be able to buy a firearm in Florida unless they also buy a living will."
If I move to Florida I'm going to carry a pistol in my beach bag. Then if someone kicks sand in my face, and it looks like it wasn't an accident, I will make his day.
2005Tribune Media Services
