That is harsh.  When did it go into effect?  I would be interested in seeing how well it works.

I'm not honestly sure how long it's been in effect, at least since some time last year.

I know that when I was living in Virginia after they rewrote the concealed carry laws to make it easier to get a permit, essentially instead of proving why you needed one the state had to prove why shouldn't be allowed one, violent crimes rates dropped in most of the state as more and more citizens began carrying firearms. And gun crimes/accidents among those who had permits was amazingly low.

I am also curious to see what effect this Florida sentencing law will have on violent crime rates. Time will tell.

So now there's this law (thanks for the info btw, and no I don't own a gun....it's just good to know these things!), and they also passed a law recently where any citizen in the state is allowed to defend themselves whether in their home, say a burgler or in public, if their car is being hijacked or something, you can shoot to defend yourself, without fear of being arrested. Now how does this work with this 10 20 Life Law?

Serenity, quite simply if you are defending yourself, you haven't committed any crime. If, however, you commit a crime using a firearm the 10 20 Life sentencing is mandatory. You can't use a gun to stop an unarmed person from stealing your car, that would be a crime. However, if they are trying to car-jack you or breaking into your house it's reasonable for you to be in fear of your life. That's the determining factor. If a resonable person could be expected to be in real fear of serious injury or death, the self-defense law is applicable.

What if you lie and say you felt threatened and there is no evidence against it, isn't that a loophole?

What if you lie and say you felt threatened and there is no evidence against it, isn't that a loophole?

Nothing is perfect and someone could argue anecdotal "what if" all day long. The actual point of the article is that Florida is placing the responsibility for gun crime where it belongs, on the offender, with strict and severe sentencing laws.

As for the other, seperate issue, the simple fact is, if the police don't see anything to suggest a life threatening situation, they will investigate the possibility a crime has taken place. Is there a possibility for abuse of the system? Of course, there always has been and probably always will be. But the state is officially recognizing the fact that honest citizens have every right to defend themselves against criminals.

They are applying some simple common sense law here. If a person is breaking into your home, it's common sense that they aren't there to bring you flowers and chocolates.

They are applying some simple common sense law here. If a person is breaking into your home, it's common sense that they aren't there to bring you flowers and chocolates.

Maybe the burglar is sympathetic. Anyways, I'm glad the law is around, just hope it doesn't turn into the wild west down here. I also wasn't being sarcastic as well.

I also wasn't being sarcastic as well.

I know you weren't. I just didn't want this to turn into some "what if" scenario that strays away from the topic of the article. I don't see it turning into a "wild west" thing at all. I have lived in many places where concealed cary permits are easy to get and there was always an amazing lack of gun related violence committed by those who were legally carrying a firearm.
Personally, I feel that a person should have every right to carry a gun, but at the same time they should be held to very serious consequences if they misuse that right.

Sounds good to me.

Here in Virginia, there's a similar project going on. Called Project Exile. It's not quite as ... stringent ... as Florida's. It's a flat 5 years. As the signs say Guns + alcohol (or drugs or other crimes) = 5 years.

Living in Petersburg, it's brought some of the gun related crimes down, but not elminated them. Too many young punks, rednecks and "gangsta" types in too small an area to keep it down for long.