While I might agree or disagree with you about the average IQ in the state govenment of Florida (depending on whether I was pro or anti Bush), they have passed some innovative laws regarding self-defense.
They were one of the first states to pass a "shall-issue" concealed firearm permit law. Many states had concealed permit laws before but they were often at the whim of the issuing body (i.e., if you were friends with the mayor, you got one).
Vermont has always allowed concealed carry (without permit) and most states have "open carry" laws (you can carry a gun so long as it is visible).
After Florida got "shall-issue", a decent (10-20) percentage of the law-abiding population went through the process and got permits. The criminals quickly learned that they were risking their own lives trying to carjack or mug Florida residents. They looked for the next soft target which was tourists. Tourists are easy to identify by the stickers on their rental cars.
Florida enacted a law forcing removal of the rental-car company stickers. They also now issue non-resident conceal carry permits as well as recognizing the permits issued by a number of other states.
- David