"The State of Florida estimates that there are more than 400 sport shooting ranges in the state and that approximately one million shooting sport enthusiasts visit these ranges each year. Shooting ranges in Florida have received increased attention recently as a result of certain high-profile cases that have raised the regulatory agencies' interest. This, in turn, has triggered the involvement of such influential national organizations as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF), as well as public and private gun clubs in Florida. The upshot of this increased attention has been the passage of new laws and the development of new environmental stewardship practices that are applicable to Florida shooting ranges. This article will explain the background of these developments and discuss the legal and scientific issues associated with shooting ranges in Florida."
23 U. Fla. J.L. & Pub. Pol'y 271
"This is a critical analysis of the controversial killing of Trayvon Martin, a young, Black teen from South Florida. The details of the killing remain contentious, laden with competing theories of murder [272] and self-defense. For some, this is a case about race. For some, this is a case about neighborhood watch and protecting oneself or, instead, illegal vigilante justice. For others, it may be a case about prosecutorial discretion and law enforcement accountability. Still, others find this to be a case about Florida's Stand YourGround Law. Fundamentally, the Martin killing is a hybrid case about both race and law, and the [273] government's response to each. It is about how one killing can trigger provocative issues so that public outcry and media coverage combine to ignite intense passion across the country and throughout the world. Due to the latent, but smoldering embers surrounding race, crime, and (in)justice, the community was essentially primed to react. In fact, a strong reaction swelled. Based on this confluence of circumstances, the Martin killing sparked a flame in the American discourse that goes beyond any simple explanation as to why a bullet was shot into this young man's chest. The Martin killing, to some degree, reinvigorated a movement toward racial equality in the criminal justice system, while simultaneously strengthening racial animosity and negative stereotypes, both White and Black."
UP IN ARMS OVER FLORIDA'S NEW "STAND YOURGROUND" LAW
"The suburban accountant heard scratching noises at his front door. In fear, he grabbed his .40-caliber handgun, opened the door, and shot the sixteen-year-old in the back. He told police he thought the teenager was armed. In actuality, the teenager and his friend were trying to tie fishing [156] line to door knockers as a prank. The accountant pled guilty to a charge of manslaughter, "was sentenced to spend [fifty-two] weekends in the Palm Beach County Jail and ten years of probation." He "said he thinks about the [teenager's] death every day and regrets his action." This occurred in October of 2003. 7 Had it occurred after October 1, 2005, the case would not have been prosecuted. The reason: a new law that purports to codify Florida's castle doctrine, but which critics say enshrines "shoot first, ask questions later" into Florida law instead.
On October 1, 2005, people in Florida gained the right to stand their ground."