Caution Brits! Next time your in Tampa, don’t do anything dodgy like put milk in your tea or treacle on your popcorn. Gunslinging Floridians might shoot you in your tracks and ask you about your food-te rrorism activities later.
I was in London this weekend when the Brady Campaign Against Gu n Violence started their ad campaign warning visitors about Florida’s newest gun law. Mind you I am in complete harmony with the efforts of the Brady Campaign. I think that the only good gun law is one that says that nobody can have them. But I was a bit amused by the campaign in London. It’s always been my impression that foreigners think that all Americans are packing a gun anyway. I didn’t manage to see the actual ad in a London paper but I did see news articles about the campaign.
Meanwhile, I was reminded about London’s own vi olence concerns when we found an unattended shoe box under a seat on a double-decker bus. My regrettably brave British friend immediately popped off the top to assure herself that it was empty. Boom (I heard in my imagination). So there you go. If all the trouble in London of late and all the signs posted everywhere you look on mass transportation won’t stop one of their own from ignoring the warnings and messing with an abandoned package — the Brady folks aren’t likely to prevent them from booking a trip to Busch Gardens. I think the tourism industry can relax.
**editor’s note** The views expressed by Wendy are Wendy’s, and not necessarily the views of Sticks of Fire, it’s employees, their subsidiaries, their advertisers, any other contributors, commenters, readers, promoters, band members, or my wife. They certainly COULD be the views of any of those previously mentioned, just not necessarily. And I reserve the right to change my mind once I find out what treacle is. Also, I think those Brits should tip more when they visit. Also, the Visiting Brits sounds like a decent band name.
Gax
4 years ago
I for one think it’s a bunch of who-ha over nothing. It’s not as if we Floridians are now running around old-west style shooting people “just to watch them die” as it were.
As for my view on gun control; a responsible gun owner is a good thing. But the problem is, like with so many things these days, people are not (in general) responsible.
Waiting periods, background checks, abolition of gun shows; I’m all for it. But something deep down says we shouldn’t ban guns all the way. Maybe because I know that at this point that’s an unrealistic goal. Maybe 100 or 150 years ago we could have done it, but now, not so much. The NRA’s little pithy slogan comes to mind; “… only criminals will have guns…”. Maybe I’m wrong. It would be nice if I was, but I think I’m not.
Laura
4 years ago
I’m all for this latest Ad by the Brady Campaign. If it keeps people from moving to Florida.. Even BETTER!
Laura
4 years ago
the url was incorrect in my above comment, sorry!
btw Tommy, hope to see some great picts from Britian while you’re there!
tommy
4 years ago
Hey wendy! Laura wants to see some pictures.
kate
4 years ago
Yes, shooting first is GREAT policy. And someone here ought to write about the nuclear power plant going up in Citrus County – a mere eighty miles from Tampa. Does that make us downwind? Or upwind? Does it matter? Am I the only one nervous about this latest development????
tiny
4 years ago
Lets face it, the people most likely to carry and use a gun in an argument are criminal types. This law will make it easier for them to get off scott free. This law creates a very amorphous bar height for the taking of human life. That bar height should be crystal clear.
As for band names, I like “Gunslinging Floridians”.
Isn’t treacle that viagra like substance that Sting uses to go at it for 24 hours straight?
t
editengine
4 years ago
I don’t think there will be much effect from this. The only people allowed to carry firearms outside the home are those with concealed weapoens permits. I heard a figure of 350,000 people have those but I do not know how accurate that is. If these people aren’t shooting people now I doubt it is because they are retreating a lot.
editengine
4 years ago
Sorry but I forgot to mention that serious crimes are at a 30 year low according to the DOJ – http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/cv2.htm
and we have managed that without this law. I think the law is a waste of time. I also wanted to apologize for my overuse of the word “people” in my previous reply.
Wendy Boucher
4 years ago
Hey Laura- You can see a few of my London photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendyboucher/
Bryan Otto
4 years ago
I like the new gun laws in florida. Just my 2 cents worth.
Bryan Otto
4 years ago
I thought the nuke plant was slated for Polk… at least they are looking into it. I am totally opposed to that. NO NUKES!