Brady Campaign Gives Florida an "F+", Woohoo!

Saturday, March 11, 2006

I admit I was a little disturbed last year when Brady Campaign only gave the state of Florida a D for its gun laws. To me I thought the anti-gun group was implicating there was more Florida could do to allow good Floridians to lawfully obtain weapons.

This year we get an F+ and I couldn't be more thrilled. I imagine Brady Campaign wasn't too thrilled when Florida allowed its residents, starting this year, to stand their ground against violent encounters instead of fleeing first.

Here are some of the reasons listed why Brady Campaign compliments Florida with such a prestigious rating:

Gun Safety Locks: Florida doesn't require its residents to keep firearms locked in the home because it's hard to used a locked gun on a violent intruder. Brady Campaign would prefer all guns be locked and rendered useless, and that residents dial 911 when they see a criminal enter a family member's bedroom instead of taking faster action. Because Florida looks out for the safety of its homeowners Brady Campaign gives it an F for safety locks.

Concealed Carry Laws: Florida is a "shall-issue" state, meaning anyone who qualifies for a concealed weapons permit and applies for one cannot be turned down. Because Florida doesn't allow police agencies to discriminate against blacks and other minoritys that shouldn't be allowed to carry Brady Campaign gives Florida an F for concealed carry laws.

The District of Columbia gets a B from Brady Campaign because it's gun laws are among the strictest in the nation. It also has one of the highest homicide rates in the country, but you won't that from Brady Campaign. D.C. would have received an A had Congress not been given the ability to repeal its laws that contribute to it being one of the most violent places in the country, but since Congress does have the ability to write laws it only gets a B.