« Debate on practicality of originalism | Main | 9th Cir. on punishing allegations of police misconduct »
If it bleeds it leads--program on FLA law
WFTV in Florida leads off with
" Next time you're out in a crowded place, take a look around. Chances are someone's carrying a handgun and you wouldn't know. Channel 9's Steve Barrett has uncovered just how common concealed weapons are in the places we all go. It might be in a purse, or a pocket, a car, or a briefcase, and you have no way of knowing. In Central Florida, about one in 40 adults has a permit to pack hidden heat."
Then (having gotten the viewers' attention through the usual medium of fear, it can lay out the facts:
"That worries many people, especially now that Florida law allows the use of deadly force if someone feels their life or property is being threatened. Yet, statistics show violent crime actually decreased with Florida's right to conceal, depending on who you believe, anywhere from seven percent to 40 percent.The Hogkinsons are tourists from Great Britain. Powerful guns are outlawed there, yet both wish they could carry.
"People who carry guns are not out there starting things. They're taking care of themselves in something somebody else starts," said Steven Hogkinson."
It's actually a pretty balanced presentation.... the amusing part to me is that they felt compelled to lead off with the fear angle, to get viewers' attention. I suppose it's just part of the style, something expected. If you saw the evening news begin with someone telling you why there is no reason to be concerned about avian flu, street crime, domestic terrorism, whatever, you'd probably wonder what was going on. Same thing if the description of an auto accident began with "Luckily, no one was hurt..."
· media
2 Comments | Leave a comment
The link above to WFTV quotes them as saying
"That worries many people, especially now that Florida law allows the use of deadly force if someone feels their life or property is being threatened." I get so sick of people misinterpreting the law, especially the liberal media. The only change in Florida's Law is that now you do not have the duty to retreat. You may stand your ground in any place you have a legal right to be. Sometimes retreat is a tactical mistake. Can you outrun the thug who is trying to rob you? Can your small kids who are with you? After you finish trying to outrun said thug and he catches your winded ass are you in any better condition to defend yourself than if you had stood your ground to begin with? Thank god some of our legislators are smarter than some of our news reporters. Wake up people. Educate yourselves. Mainstream media is out to deceive you. It seems the only place the truth is spoken is in the blogosphere.
This is exactly why I refuse to get a CCW. Trust the government to keep a secret-are you kidding? I don't carry my Glock on my person, but I do have it within reach most of the time I am on the road.