From: "Heather Martens, Citizens for a Safer Minnesota"
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:26:32 -0400 (EDT)
To: @qwest.net
Subject: National Night Out -- Bring the "Shoot First Isn't Neighborly" petition
Dear
Thousands of Minnesotans will gather next Tuesday, August 4, for National Night Out block parties. Strengthen your community by meeting your neighbors!
And strengthen the voice of reason by telling your neighbors about the most un-neighborly idea in the Minnesota legislature: The "Shoot First" bill. Click here to download the "Shoot First Isn't Neighborly" petition.
The gun lobby's "Shoot First" bill would legalize the killing of anyone who opens the gate to enter someone else's yard. In public places, "Shoot First" would make killing a first resort by eliminating the centuries-old "rule of retreat" that requires walking away if it is safe to do so. Shoot First was re-introduced in 2009 after losing narrowly in 2008. (It failed on a tie vote in a Minnesota House committee.)
In effect, Shoot First would change the legal standard of behavior from "What would a normal person do?" to "What would a sociopath do?"
Click here for the "Shoot First Isn't Neighborly" petition. Click here for the brochure on Shoot First. Bring them to your block party and let your neighbors know what the gun lobby is pushing, over the objections of Minnesota law enforcement groups. Shoot First has passed in Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Texas, and several other states. (Scroll down for more information.)
Shine a light on the gun lobby's efforts. Ask your neighbors to sign the "Shoot First Isn't Neighborly" petition. Then mail it in and write to us at
csm@endgunviolence.com and tell us about your experience.
Thank you for all you do!
Heather Martens
Executive Director
Citizens for a Safer Minnesota
More on Shoot First:
In Minnesota, existing law protects self-defense. In recent years, three Minnesota homeowners have shot intruders and not been prosecuted. In one Minneapolis case, a homeowner shot a SWAT team member during a raid on the wrong house. The homeowner was not prosecuted and collected $600,000 from the city.
The Shoot First bill is opposed by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and AFSCME Local 552 (Hennepin County Probation and Parole Officers), among others.
In Texas shortly after Shoot First passed, Joe Horn dialed 911 to report burglars entering his neighbor's house. Horn said he would go outside with his gun and shoot them. The 911 dispatcher urged Horn not to. "Ain't no property worth shooting somebody over." But Horn replied that because of Shoot First, he could go outside with his shotgun and fire. So he did -- shooting both men in the back, killing them. After he learned he would not be prosecuted, Horn told a reporter, "I would never advocate anyone doing what I did. We are not geared for that." (Houston Chronicle, July 1, 2008).
A law that condones the unnecessary taking of life harms everyone - even the shooter.
After Florida passed Shoot First, Jason Rosenbloom, who was unarmed himself, was shot during an argument in Clearwater with his next-door neighbor. Although Rosenbloom was just outside the neighbor's front door, the neighbor said he was afraid of him. The neighbor was not prosecuted. "This law is pretty scary," said Rosenbloom's mother. "All you have to do is say you feel threatened and you can shoot someone and get away with it."
Sherdavia Jenkins, 9, of Liberty City, Florida, was killed in the crossfire during a shootout between two alleged gang members. The defendants are using "Shoot First" as a defense in the case.
To learn more, visit
www.endgunviolence.com.
, (and probably her meds as well 
).
