Tuesday, September 15, 2009

We're the Only Ones Who Hate the Law Enough

Brian Cavanagh, veteran homicide prosecutor with the Broward State Attorney's Office, shares that view.

"The 'Stand Your Ground' law, I hate it, and I think I can speak for most prosecutors and law enforcement officers," he said. "It's a dangerous, dangerous law, especially if it's misinterpreted by citizens who think it gives them the right to use unbridled force. [More]
We reserve that right for "Only Ones." But typically, instead of "stand your ground," we cite "no violation of department policy."

[Via Mack H]

8 comments:

Sean said...

He's just upset because he and his donut-pythons might lose their jobs and their imagined status. Unbridled force? What does he thing Waco was, a training exercise. What? You mean,,, oh, never mind.

AvgJoe said...

Everyone who has seen my post over the years knows that I am very much against violence. However all bets are off if a criminal come on to my property and or home with the intent to commit a crime against me and my family.
If this piece of shit parasite doesn't get it, that I and many like me have a God giving right to defend ourselves and our loved ones against criminals. This piece of shit puts our lives lower than his right to make a living at the taxpayers slop buckets. I believe he is as much if not more of a piece of shit criminal dirtbag than the trash that attacks decent people in their homes and on their property.
You can't make this stuff up, this trash hasn't the brains to understand that others see him for the trash that he is, a bottom feeding elitist parasite.

TJP said...

Golly gee, but isn't that shifting the focus a little. The situation where lethal force may be required is completely safe until both parties apply force. I might take a swing on accident, on account of being surprised. Nice to know that adrenaline is apparently a controlled substance.

Since forcible crimes are apparently so much fun, maybe the Crime Lobby could adjust the people's attitudes a little. Hey, it's like a theme park, folks! You never know what the guy with hoodie and the handgun imprint is going to do.

John said...

ya know, I just HATE prosecutors being able to get away without any oversight and being able to present only one side to grand juries. Maybe I'll get what I want.......... Naaa, not holding my breath. NO sympathy for you OR your wants, you liberty hating piece of elitist garbage.

Anonymous said...

Prosecutor Cavanaugh should read the law again, slowly, just like a juror would. It is the juror who eventually will decide what a reasonable man would do. In Florida, you are allowed to "meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony." The list of forcible felonies that may be prevented cited by the law is extensive.

Cavanaugh appears to have issues with force used by any other than a police officer. As he said, "It doesn't give you or anybody a carte blanche right to use force", which contradicts the law as quoted in the previous paragraph.

All self-defense weapons courses (including those for law enforcement) teach students to shoot to incapacitate, not "shoot to kill", to halt the unlawful activity and render the target incapable of presenting any further offense. What is unfortunate is that there may be a fifteen second delay between the firing of a fatal round and the desired effect, making continuing the firing of the weapon necessary. The drill is two shots rapidly to the center of mass immediately followed by two shots rapidly to the triangle formed by the eyes and the nose. Does that kill or incapacitate? Depends.

What Cavanaugh's real problem may be is that the decision to prosecute is removed from him, including the ability to force someone into the claws of the judicial system at great personal cost. Too bad.

Crotalus said...

IMHO, "no violation of department policy" isn't a stand your ground law for cops; it's a hunting licence--and we're the prey.

James said...

If it is such a bad law, let him demonstrate some or any cases where citizens are shooting or killing indiscriminately. Problem is, he probably can't. If you look at the statistics for states that have the "Stand Your Ground" laws, one of which I live in, citizens just don't abuse these laws.
I suppose he is still waiting for concealed carry permit holders to start shooting it out over parking places too. I know Florida has had the shall issue system for over 20 years, but ordinary citizens have to start going off of the rails sooner or later don't they?

Joe G. said...

"Just give them what they want"


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