Could sharing the "Yeah, but I shoot with this hand" and the "If you shoot him, you'll just make him mad" scenes from Blazing Saddles on social media get you charged with a third degree felony?
If the Florida Legislature passes SB 728 and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill into law, anyone caught speaking or writing words from scenes in the movie "Blazing Saddles" or "A Christmas Story" could be charged with a third degree felony.
SB 728 would amend Section 790.162 of the Florida Statutes to read:
"Threats involving a firearm, weapon or destructive device--It is unlawful for any person to threaten to throw, project, place, or discharge any destructive device with intent to do bodily harm to any person or with intent to do damage to any property of any person. A person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084"
The problem with bills such as SB 728 is the Florida media covering these legislative committee hearings just cant bring themselves to point out to their readers--and to the Legislators--WORDS FROM A MOVIE, including the classic running gag in Ralphie's quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun take us down the path of codifying draconian speech codes into law so a politician can say they did something!--anything!
Sine die is March 13th; one week from this Friday.
Lets hope SB 728 dies a slow death.
