A new wave of gun laws.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

People should be allowed to use deadly force to protect themselves and their property--home, vehicle, boat--without fear of prosecution. Or should they? Florida thinks they should. It passed S.B. 436 last fall, and several states have introduced similar legislation this year.

Under these bills there is no longer a duty to retreat from danger as required now in most laws. A person could use any manner of force, including deadly force, against someone he or she fears will cause death or bodily harm. The legislation also provides immunity from civil suits and criminal prosecution for shooters who reasonably believed the use of deadly force was necessary.

Opponents of the legislation maintain that it is an invitation to reckless use...