A bill that would grant immunity to people who show guns or fire warning shots in self-defense is moving in the Legislature after failing to get a hearing last year. The so-called "warning-shot" bill – which would amend Florida's 'stand your ground' self-defense law – cleared its first Senate panel on Wednesday.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed the bill by its chairman, Senator Greg Evers, an Okaloosa Republican. Senators heard stories of Floridians who are serving twenty-year sentences for firing warning shots to defend themselves or others. House sponsor Neil Combee said the task force that studied the 'stand your ground' law last year heard similar stories."Because I know the task force heard about some of these cases where people are serving lengthy sentences and they've not physically harmed anybody", Combee said. "And they're, like, 'What's up with this? Why did this happen?'"
Last year many law enforcement officers and prosecutors argued against the bill, saying it was dangerous. And on Wednesday, state attorney Bill Cervone of Gainesville said the debate seems to be anecdotal cases, not looking at both sides.
"If somebody went to prison for one of these situations, that means a judge and a jury rejected their claim of self-defense already", Cervone said.
The bill has already passed one House committee. The Florida Sheriffs Association, which opposed the bill last year, will remain neutral this year.