TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The ’warning shot’ bill has been approved by its final Senate committee and will be heard on the Senate floor.
The bill sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Pensacola, has garnered attention due to the Marissa Alexander case in Jacksonville. Alexander is currently imprisoned after being sentenced to 20 years for firing a gun near her estranged husband during an altercation.
The new bill addresses “10-20-life” in self-defense cases. Passed in 1999, the 10-20-life law requires lengthy sentences for specific felony firearm convictions. NRA lobbyist Marion Hammers said 10-20-life was not intended to be used in self-defense cases.
Alexander awaits a new trial after she won her appeal. The sentencing judge felt forced to abide by 10-20-life.
Opponents of the proposed changes worry they will encourage more people to fire shots.
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