Open Season on Aggressive Florida Motorists
 

The Florida State Senate passed SB 436, which allows bicyclists to shoot and kill motorists who approach in any threatening fashion, without criminal penalties.

http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view...sion&Submenu=1

Looks like that could go either way... "...well that big mean bicycle guy was trying to get into my SUV... look what he did to the windshield... so I shot him... "

This could be fun!

Yippee! I can't wait to bag my first motorist with my Glock 19!!

Make my day, baby!

The reality is this bill will create a lot of problems.

Yes, making appointments at the taxidermist to get your motorist trophies mounted! I'd like to bag one of each race and gender.

I feel a national headline coming from wherever you are in FL. Good grief.

The bill is actually doing the opposite of its intentions. It will encourage shootouts.

Ugh. This is one of the worst laws I've ever seen. "Florida: The Rules Are Different Here." :rolleyes:

Wow this is the first I've heard of this.
I guess it would be considered self-defense, but it's a little extreme.
I can't believe it passed.

That said, anyone know a good pistol that is small enough to fit in a jersey pocket?
I'm kidding of course....

Read the wording of the bill again. If someone INSIDE a dwelling, residence, or vehicle, determines that their life is in danger, it allows them to use deadly force without fear of being arrested. The last part of the bill allows police to go after people they think abused the law on purpose.
It does not allow cyclists on the road to have an open season on motorists.

The bill says you can use deadly force against someone "if that person had removed or attempted to remove another from the dwelling, residence, or vehicle."

I would say that a car threatening a bike fits the definition of attempting to remove from a vehicle.

The bill refers to the "Castle Doctrine", meaning the person using defensive force has to be INSIDE a vehicle. Cyclists are not INSIDE their vehicle, so the regular rules regarding assault on a person "outside"
would be used.

Let the fun begin...But, don't motorists have a better chance of aiming at the cyclists..Might be important to get the right handlebar bag....A holster might not get in the way of pedaling....baggies might be in order.. Sure Mae West would have something to say about guns under your shorts.

Big deal. In Texas we have long been permitted deadly force to protect yourself and others. We call it self defense. Glad to see the concept catching on.

Motorists have a better chance at correct aim..Heck cyclists can't even get a camera out in time to photograph our atackers..From reading the law..A motorists could claim the cyclists was the one threatening them.

i love riding and enjoy a bike lane where i live. but on many ocasions as a driver i have witnessed cyclist egging on motorist and encouraging confrontations. unfurtunatley these few ego maniacs give motorist the wrong impression of the rest of the pack

Yes, I can see it now:

FLORIDA CYCLIST TO TOUR THE COUNTRY DISPLAYING HIS COLLECTION OF MOUNTED MOTORIST HEADS

It will be the talk of the nation. I will probably be on Oprah and Jerry! People will start sending me ammunition to replenish my ever dwindling supply! People will donate money to me so I can build more rooms on to my house to display my collection. I can see it now.

There are laws like this in other states. Do you have evidence that they caused problems there?

The stupid passing laws

The ignorant ranting about how noble it is to kill

Ah yes, the good ole American frontier days returning

"Vehicle" means any conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property.

Not exactly. Read up on your history not a Hollywood movie. In the "wild west" there was actually very little gun play. And per capita crime was low.

I didn't think Floridians could top thier voting performance in '00.

Then I though they couldn't top Terri Schiavo.

I keep moving the bar and they keep exceeding expectations.

GET OUT OF THE BIKE LANE!!!!

(insert crazy gun shot shounds here)