Visitors to Florida are being warned that they could be
at risk due to a new state law that allows gun owners to shoot anyone
they believe threatens their safety. A spokeswoman for The Brady
Campaign to Control Gun Violence, said “tourists should be wary of
getting into an “aggressive argument” during their
stay”. The law which is now in force says that people in
their house or vehicle do not have to become victims before shooting an
attacker. Previously, they could only use their weapons if they had
first attempted to withdraw and avoid a confrontation.

A spokeswoman for Visit Florida in the UK accused the
Brady Campaign of employing scare tactics and claimed the new law would
not have any impact on tourism to the state. “There are 28
other states that do not require people to retreat if they are being
attacked, so it is just bringing Florida into line,” she
said. “I don’t think many UK holidaymakers are going to
attack someone in their car or their house, so they have nothing to
worry about. It is not a real issue. According to the state’s annual
crime report, Florida’s crime rate is at a 34-year low.”
Florida is the most popular US destination for Britons, attracting 1.5
million people from the UK each year.