A Florida sheriff has gone on record – and gone viral in the process – as stating that homeowners should shoot intruders who break into their homes.
According to the New York Post, Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson added that it would be a good way to save tax payers’ dollars, after an unidentified Floridian opened fire on a burglar who had more than 17 arrests on his record last week.
That particular homeowner has still not come forward, but Sheriff Johnson, a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, sought to let them know that they had done nothing wrong.
“If someone breaks unto your house you are more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County,” Johnson said, straight-faced, while talking to reporters.
“We prefer that you do, actually.”
Johnson also advised residents to take firearm lessons so that they could improve their aim for if and when the time comes.
“You’re not in trouble,” he insisted. “Come see us. We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday. If you take that you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully you’ll save taxpayers money.”
Florida law states that a home dweller “has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and use or threaten to use” when faced with an intruder.
Referring to the alleged intruder who was shot at last week, Brandon Harris, Johnson labeled him a “frequent flyer” of the justice system, telling how he was first arrested at age 13.
“He just can’t seem to get the picture that crime does not pay,” Johnson said.
Last Wednesday, more than a dozen deputies were dispatched to the neighborhood of Pace, Santa Rosa County, after 911 callers reported a man breaking into homes.
A police perimeter was set up and police dogs were deployed. Eventually, Harris was shot at by a resident of one of the homes he tried to break into.
After being cornered in the bedroom closet of another house he had broken into, Harris leapt from the window and was arrested in the backyard.
“He doesn’t care about anybody but himself and hopefully he goes to prison for the rest of his life,” Sheriff Johnson said.
What do you think`? Is Sheriff Johnson right to encourage home owners to shoot people who break into their homes?
Let us know your thoughts on this divisive matter in the comments box.
Meanwhile, share this article on Facebook if you agree that he might be on to something.
