Brady Bunch Making Trouble

According to the Telegraph

Be nice or be shot, Florida tourists are warned
By Jeremy Skidmore
(Filed: 08/10/2005)

Visitors to Florida are being warned that they could be at risk thanks to a new state law that allows gun owners to shoot anyone they believe threatens their safety.

A spokeswoman for The Brady Campaign to Control Gun Violence, named after an aide of Ronald Reagan who was shot during an assassination attempt, said tourists should be wary of getting into an "aggressive argument" during their stay".

The law, which came into force this week, says that people in their house or vehicle do not have to become victims before shooting an attacker. Previously, they could only use their weapons if they had first attempted to withdraw and avoid a confrontation.

But a spokeswoman for Visit Florida in the UK accused the Brady Campaign of employing scare tactics and claimed the new law would not have any impact on tourism to the state.

"There are 28 other states that do not require people to retreat if they are being attacked, so it is just bringing Florida into line," she said.

"I don't think many UK holidaymakers are going to attack someone in their car or their house, so they have nothing to worry about. It is not a real issue. According to the state's annual crime report, Florida's crime rate is at a 34-year low."

Florida is the most popular US destination for Britons, attracting 1.5 million people from the UK each year.

© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2005.