Florida -(AmmoLand.com)- HB-169 Burden of Proof by Rep. Dennis Baxley is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 9:00AM.
HB-169 Burden of Proof restores the Stand Your Ground law to the original intent of the Legislature by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs.
If you own a gun and you ever have to use it to protect yourself or your family and — you think, because of the Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law, that the law is on your side. Think again. The Legislature gave you protection in 2005, but prosecutors and the courts have taken it away.
In 2005, the Legislature passed a self-defense law that gives immunity from arrest, detaining in custody, charging and prosecuting — until and unless an investigation by the state reveals there is probable cause to believe the act was not lawful self-defense.
Prosecutors and the courts didn’t like it so they created a special “Stand Your Ground” hearing that forces victims who fight back against criminals to prove they are innocent rather than making the state prove guilt. This bill stops that and restores the protection the Legislature provided.
It is CRITICAL that you respond by emailing members of the House Criminal Justice Committee. There are members of this committee who favor prosecutors and the courts INSTEAD OF YOU.
Make no mistake — a committee member who votes against this bill will be voting against you and your constitutional right of self-defense.
Please EMAIL Committee members IMMEDIATELY and ask them to SUPPORT HB-169 Burden of Proof by Rep. Dennis Baxley
IN THE SUBJECT LINE PUT: SUPPORT HB-169 Restore Self-defense Rights
(To send your message to all just Block and Copy All email addresses into the “Send To” box)
- carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov,
- charles.vanzant@myfloridahouse.gov,
- dennis.baxley@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Jay.Fant@myfloridahouse.gov,
- gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Chris.Latvala@myfloridahouse.gov,
- ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Scott.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Ross.Spano@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Randolph.Bracy@myfloridahouse.gov
- Dave.Kerner@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Sharon.Pritchett@myfloridahouse.gov,
- Clovis.Watson@myfloridahouse.gov
Committee members need to hear from YOU NOW. Please email Committee Members IMMEDIATELY.
About Unified Sportsmen of Florida (USF):
Organized in 1976, with the assistance of the National Rifle Association, Unified Sportsmen of Florida (USF) is a non-profit membership organization incorporated under the laws of Florida. Affiliated with NRA as the Florida Legislative affiliate, USF is an independent organization dependent on membership dues and contributions for financial support. Unified Sportsmen of Florida was organized for the purpose of protecting the firearms rights of all law-abiding firearms owners in Florida and to preserve the firearms rights guaranteed in the United States and Florida Constitutions.
For more information, visit: www.scgaa.org/usf.pdf.
Marion P. Hammer is a past president of the National Rifle Association and current executive director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida.