Florida’s governor is going viral for some pretty serious business.
According to media sources, the new governor proposed a law that enables citizens to shoot both looters as well as rioters. Moreover, news agencies also reported how the governor plans on expanding a series of self-defense laws.
The rude awakening turned plenty of heads, during a time when the nation is going through its own turmoil. Above all, the pandemic’s stress adds more compounding effects to an already grim situation.
Here are the latest updates surrounding the case that has the world in sheer disbelief.
Florida’s Governor in hot water
Ron DeSantis is Florida’s Governor and a man that is known for making some bold statements publicly. And this time, he’s making headlines again.
Drafting out the anti-mob legislation, the governor expanded the laws by including looting too. Renowned as the famous ‘stand your ground’ set of laws, Florida’s government hopes to increase security. At the same time, he hopes to provide protection to citizens during riots. But the fact that it involves a shooting defense towards rioters is under question.
New law arises during an important time period
Where does the new law stand in today’s time? Above all, what was the need for new law in the first place? It’s questions like these that have plenty of people scratching their heads.
However, the recent uprising is probably to blame. Yes, right before the 2020 elections, the US saw its fair share of violence. From George Floyd’s death to the recent Black Lives Matter protests, the country saw great unrest.
In the end, there was chaos all over the country. For this reason, Florida’s governor thought it was the ultimate time to introduce the shoot those who loot law. And by doing so, he feels it can help bring peace to a state enveloped in violence.
Redefining the term ‘looting’
Ron DeSantis made it very clear what looting actually means in this law’s context. Here, he expressed how it would be considered a felony. And for the common man, looting is a burglary that takes place within a distance of 500 feet. This is in regards to a violent assembly.
The exact details from the set of anti-mob rules and regulations came in the form of a public request, attained by the Miami Herald recently.
One famous former prosecutor explained how the new law provides vigilantes with justification for their actions. On the other hand, he also expressed how it paves way for the punishment of death for property crimes. Moreover, he linked the recent laws as being ‘cruel as well as unusual punishment.’
Critics speak up on Florida Governor’s new stance
The new laws also aim to harshen criminal penalities for those causing unrest during riots. This includes those involved in any form of violent assembly.
On the other hand, the laws aim to without various forms of state funding that arise from local governments who ‘defund the police.’ This will be implemented by cutting the state’s law enforcement budget.
Another shocking clause revolved around how blocking traffic during riots would now be a third-degree felony. Similarly, the state would provide immunity to all those drivers that unintentionally kill or even injure protesters who block traffic.
While the proposed laws won’t be drafted till 2021, at its earliest, it’s getting its fair share of criticism. Overall, plenty of officials condemn it for intervening with freedom of speech. Likewise, they feel it is an incorrect way for armed citizens to take the law into their own hands.
Whether or not the law actually comes into action is another story altogether. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and watch.
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