10-20-life...coming to a state near you!

[sumo]

Listen carefully Brother.

The 10-20-life deal was recently passed here in the great state of Florida. I've read some pretty intersting articles about it, but I believe that most people skip over the fine print, and you know about that damn fine print.

Well, it seems that Jeb Bush and his cronies, and the state legislature and their cronies have orchestrated a pretty effective crime-fighting instrument. Unfortunately, their definition of crime seems rather ambiguous. Here's the meat of the law: If you commit a crime and have a gun, you do 10.
If you use it, you do 20. If someone's shot, you retire. But to whom does this crime apply? According to some judges in the area, who have argued that their adjudication has been legislated away, anyone. These judges argue that their lawful discretionary powers could be stripped in application of 10-20-life. But the state and prosecutors argue in rebuttal not to be worried. That common sense and application will prevail. Someone dim the lights and pass the bullshit, please.

Consider just this one scenerio. You're driving down the street one night and are stopped at a drunk driving checkpoint conveniently located 1000' within an institution of learning. You're not drinking, your registration and insurance are in order, but in the "pull-over" you consent to a search, or the officer notices your iron in the glove compartment. Conclusion: possession of a gun in the proximity of a school. A violation, a "crime". Possession of a gun in the commission of this crime: 10 years. Double jeopardy, you cry! I'm sure the public defender will get you out of that one. And if you think this scenario is stupid, just how stupid is the law and its makers?

But the story doesn't end here...It's coming to a state near you!

[Destroyer]

What worries me about that law is what if you shoot someone in self defense but get a jury full of liberals? Not too likely in most parts of our state but it could happen... And the NRA backs $#!+ like this.

[ramius]

Here's some interesting thoughts on shooting in self-defense...
1. If you shoot someone in self-defense, no matter how righteous, you just spent $10,000.
2. I read it somewhere: If at all possible, and you're alone on a street, and you have to shoot someone, make sure they're dead and leave. This advice was from a cop. If it was a righteous shoot, you're not going to feel guilty about it. If you're a righteous citizen, you're not going to be a suspect.
3. If you cannot escape (see 2), then say NOTHING to ANYONE. This includes cops (hand them your license).

If you're curious about number 2 above, then realize that the court system is stacked against you. Your gun-friendly jurors will be excused in voir dire. There will be no positive publicity. Even if you are not criminally charged, you will be sued by the descedent's family.

Number 2 is a personal choice. If you carry a gun, then get yourself some pre-paid legal insurance.

What a world.



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-ramius...
right wing extremist gun nut
...and proud of it.

[Bryant]

Just remember just because you have the right to carry does not mean you always have to have it. Only carry when you know you could be in danger in other situations a good belt knife is sufficient. The laws are set up to make legal gun owners fail and lose all rights but just be smart and you will be fine.

[TinMan99]

I really hate to agree with the first post on this thread, but he's right. If you are involved in a self-defense situation where you shot someone and there are no obvious witnesses and the cops aren't barreling down on you immediately, make certain they're dead and leave. The legal system and the civil system are patently biased against anyone defending themselves with force. Even if you're cleared of the long criminal procedings, you still have to contend with potential civil suits. You'll also lose your gun, since they have a tendency to get lost in the evidence system after confiscation. If you felt justified in shooting, you should have no guilt or conscience that you left this cretin to the buzzards and worms. It's a sick sad world that permits criminals more power in the courts than law-abiding citizens protecting themselves from their agression. Before you get all lawful and wait for the cops to show up, consider the stress the whole legal process will put on you, your family, your finances, your ability to hold a job, your life savings. If you can't leave or there are too many witnesses that know you present, when the cops show up, say nothing at all. Present them with your ID, let them arrest you, explain it to your lawyer or public defender, they will in turn explain it to the police and you may get to walk away from it. I'm afraid my intent will be to leave after defending myself. This criminal has already inconvenienced me and stressed me. Why should I let this vermin cause me anymore distress? Because it's the law? The law is meant to serve and protect, not persecute, which is the reality.

TinMan99

[LAgunman2K-3]

this is a tough one guys--to leave after you shot a criminal ? i dont know is that leaving the scene of a crime ? which is illegal i think and wont that make you look MORE like a murderer than someone that used a gun in a self defense? also i think it would be wise to ALSO have OC or CN spray as a first attempt to defend your self --gun in one hand and OC in the other and do EVERYTHING possible to NOT shoot and leave plaenty of evidence showing it was Self defense if possible and if you leave and hear on the news that the cops are looking for the person that did this shooting then i would say turn your self in and maybe with a lawyer DONT GET A PUBLIC DEFENDER on a shooting charge you are asking for some jail time with that one even if you spend 10 grand to defend yourself its easier on you and your family to spend that than for you to spend a year or more in jail most people make more than 10 grand a year so a year in jail would be losing your ENTIRE job and money that would be a loss of 30 grand or more a year and put a hardship upon your family to struggle with out you
thats just my advice i could be wrong

[WAREAGLE]

I agree with Lagunman...That would be murder in any court (unless your OJ http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif). You would have a helluva time explaining why you left, especially if you felt you were justified. Just hope you never have to do it.

[Packrat]

There was a shooting on the NY subway, just after the trial of the guy who shot the f guys who attempted to mug him. The shooter got off the train at the next stop, and NO ONE on the car could remember what s/he looked like.
A guy who posts on the Kalashnikov board had to defend himself and his fiance from 2 or 3 drunk, drugged felons who followed him out of a bar, threatened him repeatedly (while he fired _2_ warning shots), and finally forced him to shoot. He killed one, wounded another. The last time he mentioned money, he had spent $30 000. He also spent 37 days in jail. (I may have exact figures wrong, but they're in the ball park.) He had to give up his guns until after the trial, which is still dragging on, because the prosecutor is still trying to figure out some way to prove he committed some crime.
I've seen the ads for 10-20-life here in Florida. Funny, though, the law doesn't seem to apply to criminals. It's like the Federal laws that prosecutors won't invoke because it a waste of their time.

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Packrat

[celticjedi]

Hey All I know it that in the Bay Area tentions between the races are heating up, mainly between the Viet-Cong and every one els. I have a feeling the Excrament will impact with the circular rotating air mass mover. This place is a riot waiting to happen, when it does any one want to have an AK party at my house? Bring your own Toys and LOTS of ammo, cleaning matterials and "targets" wil be provided, plus all the homemade pizza you can eat.

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DA72

[sumo]

The AK party sounds good, but you better have an exit strategy. After the LA riots, anything larger would be a disaster. Holding down the fort is very noble until they start firebombing. Have a back-up plan to bug-out. We want you alive to fight the good fight.

[celticjedi]

I am right next to the hills, buging out would not even take two min to get into the hills, and back there its a county park thats a game resever with lots of tasty animals roaming about.

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DA72