A Bill giving Florida citizens the right to shoot and kill anyone who threatens them in public - without first having to try to escape - is set to be passed into law in a move that critics say could turn the Sunshine State into the Wild West.

Governor Jeb Bush has signalled his intention to sign into statute the 'Stand Your Ground Bill', which allows members of the public to "meet force with force, including deadly force and defend themselves without fear of prosecution".

Mr Bush, the President's brother, described the Bill, which has been backed by the National Rifle Association and was yesterday passed 94-20 by the Florida House of Representatives, as "a good, commonsense, anti-crime issue".

But critics warned that it would trigger an escalation in gun crime in the state, and engender a 'shoot-first, ask-questions-later culture. They have dubbed the measure the "Kill Bill" after the Quentin Tarantino film of the same name.

Florida courts, in line with most states, have already ruled that people have a right to defend themselves in their homes. This 'Castle Doctrine' has also been expanded to include employees in their workplaces and drivers attacked in their vehicles.

Elsewhere, however, courts have until now ruled that victims must at least attempt to escape before using lethal force, a provision which gun advocates say puts victims at greater risk. The latest bill removes that requirement if there is a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.

Republican Dennis Baxley told the House: "I’m sorry people, but if I’m attacked I shouldn’t have a duty to retreat. That’s a good way to get shot in the back."

Mr Baxley believes that if the public has the clear right to kill without any legal consequences, it will cause criminals to think twice.

"This is about meeting force with force," he said.

Critics have objected saying it gives gun owners a licence to kill. They also warn that it could lead to racially motivated killings and promote deadly escalations of arguments.

And Democrats pointed out the irony of the Florida legislature passing the Bill after both the President and his brother tried to intervene to save the life of Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged woman who died last week after a state court ordered the removal of her feeding tube.

Democrat Dan Gelber said: "For a House that talks about the culture of life, it’s ironic that we would be devaluing life in this Bill. That’s exactly what we’re doing."

Irv Slosberg, Democrat representative of Boca Raton, said: "All this Bill will do is sell more guns and possibly turn Florida into the OK Corral."

British victims of crime must wrestle with a series of moral and criminal guidelines before taking action against intruders in their homes. Latest Home Office advice suggests either making a noise to scare off the burglar or staying quiet in the hope that they will leave you alone.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Thousands of Tamils dying in 'welfare camp'
• Jackson 'rebuilt his nose before he died'
• Renewed Iran protests crushed by militia