When queried this week about his state’s declining crime rate, Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) told reporters from the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, “Law abiding citizens that have guns for protection actually probably are part of the reason we have a lower crime rate.”
Florida is one of 40 states with Right-to-Carry statutes that allow their law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense. In addition, the state last year passed NRA-backed “Castle Doctrine” legislation that allows citizens to “stand their ground” and defend themselves against an attacker in a place where they have a legal right to be.
Florida’s crime rate dropped for the 14th straight year and the crime rate is currently at its lowest level since 1971.