I am continually amazed at the way in which aggressive dangerous people with guns are protected in Florida, and the rights of people to be safe - including children - are not.
The latest incident was highlighted in the diary of Pajoly currently on the rec list.
In this case a gun nut built a firing range feet from the play space of other kids in the neighborhood. And furthermore, the individual has a history of aggressive and abusive behavior.
Florida is unique in that the legislature and state government have made guns a fetish right, and ignored the fact that regular people no longer feel safe in that state. Anyone who gets angry and pulls a gun in Florida is protected by the state, while the people he scares are not.
Could we counteract this with a campaign to show Florida unsafe for tourists.
Florida is also economically dependent on tourism, to both its beaches and Disney resorts. Many of these tourists come from Canada and Europe, where the idea that people have to worry about being shot if they encounter an abusive person is simply non-existent.
In Florida, an angry person with a gun can kill you - and you will not even know how to avoid it. Do you not go to the convenience store because a gun nut might get pissed and start firing with his concealed weapon.
What happens if you are standing in line and don't understand the language that well. They guy behind you pulls out his gun and threatens you?
There is no guarantee in restaurants in Florida that the person having an argument with their spouse at the next table is not armed, with a concealed carry, and will whip out his gun at any moment.
I think that a 'tourist be safe' campaign that encourages people to avoid Florida until they legislate more responsible policies on guns could gain attention.
George Zimmerman is the perfect face of the NRA in Florida - where an angry psychopath is given full legal protection by the state, yet his victims are not. Would you want to encounter George Zimmerman in a restaurant or convenience store? He could blow up and start shooting his concealed weapon at any time. If Florida wants to use its full legal might to protect the George Zimmerman's of the world, maybe the George Zimmerman's of the world should be the face of Florida to tourists.
The answer of local authorities and police that their hands are tied won't cut it. Until Florida gives officials the tools to enforce public safety against gun nuts, I think the safest assumption is that it is simply not safe to be there, and if you have an alternative travel destination, you should take it.