By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Governor DeSantis has plans to expand our “Stand Your Ground Laws”?
Ron DeSantis recently announced a proposed plan to expand Florida’s so-called “Stand Your Ground Laws” where Floridians are allowed to use force, even deadly use of force to protect themselves from threats of harm.
DeSantis wishes to expand these current Florida laws to “crack down on violent and disorderly assemblies” such as we recently witnessed during the pro-Trump rallies in Washington DC. This past September, the Governor made promises to take action against violent mobs such as BLM and ANTIFA after many cities around the country experienced a summer full of rioting, mob violence, theft and arson via these two groups.
Specifically, the Governor’s changes in law proposes to increase penalties for anyone involved in disorderly assemblies, making such participation a third-degree felony. The proposed new changes include provision for immunity for drivers who unintentionally hit protesters blocking traffic as well as those who are attacked.
Kenneth Nunn, a law professor at the University of Florida and assistant director of its Criminal Justice Center, said that linking “Stand Your Ground” to what occurs at demonstrations is “reactionary to extreme.” Nunn however did not address the violent behavior often associated with BLM and ANTIFA as well as this year’s many examples of innocent Americans that were hurt or murdered by members of Black Lives Matter and or, those associated with ANTIFA and BLM that burned down (also African-American owned) businesses.
Incoming Florida State Senate President Wilton Simpson stated he was interested in the proposal but has not said whether he will sponsor the proposed bill offered by Governor DeSantis. At the time of writing this article, the proposal remains only a draft. No bills have been filed in either the Florida House or Senate.