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A new Florida law allows the use of deally force in self-defense. An intrernational campaign aimed at travelers to Florida is about to be launched. Can this be a good thing?

A new Florida law allows the use of deally force in self-defense. An intrernational campaign to warn travelers to Florida is about to be launched. Can this be a good thing?

A Florida newspaper reports gun-control advocates are preparing to launch an international campaign through newspapers and the Internet to warn travelers about the new state law.

“It’s a particular risk faced by travelers coming to Florida for a vacation because they have no idea it’s going to be the law of the land,” said Peter Hamm, communications director of the Washington, D.C.-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “If they get into a road-rage argument, the other person may feel he has the right to use deadly force.”

[I can see the full color ads with sandy beaches, bunkers and bullet-proof vests.]

“In a flier the group plans to pass out at Miami International Airport and possibly Orlando International Airport, tourists will be admonished to take precautions that include: “Do not argue unnecessarily with local people.”

“Supporters say the new law, which they dubbed “Stand Your Ground,” allows citizens to protect themselves by meeting force with force. Opponents, who call it the “Shoot First Law,” warn it could hand itchy trigger fingers a license to kill.”

“…the Brady Campaign, established by former presidential spokesman Jim Brady, who was wounded during an assassination attempt on President Reagan, and Brady’s wife, Sarah, plans to aggressively advertise on the Internet to warn out-of-state tourists. The group is also running ads in the travel sections of the Boston Globe, Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune and likely some London newspapers beginning Sunday. They will also be putting up billboards in places where they can be easily seen by tourists and passing out the airport fliers in English and Spanish.”

Ouch!

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