Lawmaker Wants To Allow Warning Shot To be Fired
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A case that shocked the nation after a woman was sentenced to 20 years for firing a shot during an argument with her estranged husband may inspire a change in the law.
Polk City Republican Rep. Neil Combee filed a bill Thursday that he says would let people defend themselves without fear of getting arrested.
Combee says he filed the bill (HB 89) as a response to Marissa Alexander and others. The bill would exempt someone from Florida's "10-20-Life" law if they show their gun or fires a warning shot at an attacker.
Alexander was sentenced to 20 years for firing a shot during an argument with her estranged husband. Alexander maintains she fired a warning shot into a wall, but prosecutors contend she fired it in the direction of her husband and his two sons.
An appeals court this week ordered a new trial for Alexander.
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