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Florida State Issue

Should there be stricter punishments for people that brandish #guns in public?

Score for this "YES" opinion :
Score is TBD

"Florida’s #gun brandish laws are not strict enough" Sep 18, 2024

Brandishing guns in Florida is risky behavior that needs containment through improving general gun-control measures and by creating laws that recommend strict punishments for any individual involved. 

Recently, the states have been divided on gun control laws. Some states have come up with strict regulations for gun holders. Other states have legislated more flexibility in gun ownership rights while increasing the punishment for those that disregard the gun holder's rights. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how strict are gun laws in Florida? 

Florida is forefront in the number of concealed weapons permits that have been issued. There are more people in possession of their licenses than in any other state in America. As a result, the last decade has witnessed a surge in justifiable homicide cases brought before courts. Murder cases committed using a gun increased by nearly half. In the past decade, many amendments to Florida gun laws have provided more rights to gun holders.

The self-defense law is a law that can be very complicated. It states that you are permitted to use force in self-defense, although only an equivalent force of which you are being threatened should be applied. That implies that if you feel yourself being threatened, you are free to use your gun. That's very risky. Some people may misuse their firearms and cite this law.

Many states have laws where it is illegal to bring your gun to work. A law was passed in Florida that allows an individual to carry their gun locked in their vehicle at all times, including at work. People do not need a gun license to keep a firearm locked in their car.

It is evident that gun law loopholes need to be fixed by putting stricter laws and punishments for offenders. Additional legislation is needed, including increased penalties for those displaying firearms inappropriately or brandishing their weapon. The improper exhibition of a firearm is a danger to the public, as the people being shown the weapon may feel fear or intimidation by the presence of a firearm and believe that they are under threat leading them to brandish their own gun. 

Because these scare tactics using a firearm are intended to harm people psychologically, there need to be stricter laws around brandishing guns. Greater punishments and increased clarification of the laws surrounding brandishing a weapon, therefore, need to be passed into legislation. 

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