Thurston files late to repeal Stand Your Ground
After the Florida House adopted an amendment to a bill that would expand the states stand your ground law, Minority Leader Perry Thurston filed an amendment that would repeal it.
Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, said he filed the amendment to HB 89 before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, which he says is in time for the bills final reading and floor vote on Thursday. Thurston didnt sit on any committees that approved the bill, which would shield people who fire warning shots in self defense from serving 10 to 20 years,
While the bill has sailed through committees garnering only two no votes from Democrats, Thurston said he had planned to vote against it because it unnecessarily expands the law. But he said he decided to file a repeal amendment, which wont be received favorably by Republican leaders, after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach explained to House members on Wednesday why he was amending it.
I was surprised when he said hes doing this to strengthen the stand your ground; law, Thurston said. If thats what hes doing, its relevant to file an amendment to repeal stand your ground.
Thurston, who is running for attorney general, reasons that while he was prepared to vote against the bill, he hadnt planned to push for its repeal because that debate has already taken place without much progress toward overturning or changing it. But he said it became clear from Gaetzs comments that Republicans were expanding the laws reach, and decided it was time to draw attention to the gambit.
I dont think my chances are good, Thurston said. But I hope to have a broader discussion.
HB 89 highlights frustrations Thurston is having not just with Republicans, but with the 44 other Democrats in the caucus. Most of them support the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City.
In an election year where polls show strong support for 'stand your ground', Thurston is one of the few Democrats to oppose Combees bill, which has the strong backing of the National Rifle Association.
Another bill with NRA backing is HB 7029 by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala -- who is revered by the gun rights lobby. Dubbed the pop tart bill, it would prohibit schools from punishing children from playing with imaginary guns, or, as one boy did, chewing a pop tart into the shape of a gun. It sailed through committees receiving not one no vote.
There were no objections to these bills when they came through the committee process, Thurston told Democrats in a meetiing Wednesday afternoon. No one voted against the poptart bill. Thats not a bill I would have expected would have gotten this far without no votes. I plan to vote against it. Remember, its ok to vote against bills.
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