Monday, May 02, 2005
Editorial: License to kill?
Virginia shouldn't emulate a Florida self-defense law that encourages the use of deadly force.
From the RoundTable blog
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Virginia shouldn't emulate a Florida self-defense law that encourages the use of deadly force.
Fresh from a controversy in which they unconstitutionally inserted themselves into a bitter family argument on the grounds that “every life is sacred,” Florida legislators and Gov. Jeb Bush enacted a law that encourages the use of deadly force by private citizens.
The so-called “stand your ground” bill removes the pesky requirement from Florida’s laws that prohibits shooting someone in self-defense if it is possible to escape a threatening situation.
The National Rifle Association is ecstatic over the passage of the bill, and can hardly wait to bring it to other states. Virginia is high up on the NRA’s list.
Law enforcement officers, on the other hand, fear the unintended, but predictable, consequences of the law, which they believe will leave some with the false assumption that they have total immunity if they kill someone in what they believe is self-defense.
“Whether it’s trick-or-treaters or kids playing in the yard of someone who doesn’t want them there or some drunk guy stumbling into the wrong house, you’re encouraging people to possibly use deadly physical force where it shouldn’t be used,” Miami Police Chief John F. Timoney told The New York Times.
Police officers, who go through extensive training, too often make mistakes when using deadly force. Untrained citizens should not be encouraged to start blazing away if there is a feasible and safe alternative.
The NRA is prepared to open fire on any legislator who stands in its way. “It is both a liberty and a crime issue with a big political tailwind,” NRA President Wayne LaPierre told Newsday. “Politicians are putting their career in jeopardy if they oppose this type of bill.”
If every life were truly sacred, Florida politicians wouldn’t encourage ordinary citizens to become judge, jury and executioner except in situations where they are left with no other choice.
Virginia’s legislators should do their best to ignore the NRA and refuse to consider a bill with such horrific public safety consequences.
