The Doctor
09-05-2006, 04:34 AM
Hey,
I read an article in a Dutch newspaper about a new law that has been approved in Florida. It deals with when it is allowed to use force in self-defence. The article states that in the past people would have to try to run away first and were allowed to use force to defend themselves only if that was not possible. The new law states that people are allowed to use force to defend themselves whenever they feel threatened. According to the article this means that people are allowed to use force to defend themselves if for example someone is shouting at them. The only rule is that they have to feel threatened. They give as an example a fight between two neighbours about garbage bags. In the end one shot the other because he was afraid his neighbour would hit him.
Does anyone know if this is true? I find it hard to believe that people approve a law that allows me to shoot someone because he yells at me and I feel threatened.
I read an article in a Dutch newspaper about a new law that has been approved in Florida. It deals with when it is allowed to use force in self-defence. The article states that in the past people would have to try to run away first and were allowed to use force to defend themselves only if that was not possible. The new law states that people are allowed to use force to defend themselves whenever they feel threatened. According to the article this means that people are allowed to use force to defend themselves if for example someone is shouting at them. The only rule is that they have to feel threatened. They give as an example a fight between two neighbours about garbage bags. In the end one shot the other because he was afraid his neighbour would hit him.
Does anyone know if this is true? I find it hard to believe that people approve a law that allows me to shoot someone because he yells at me and I feel threatened.