Fla. sheriff to deputize lawful gun owners amid ongoing protests
Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels addresses the audience from the stage as the MC at a Ron DeSantis Jacksonville rally Oct. 25, 2018. Daniels said in a three-minute video released Wednesday, July 1, 2020 that he will deputize every gun owner in his county to put down any violent protests his deputies can’t handle alone. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:33 AM PT — Thursday, July 2, 2020
A Florida sheriff plans to deputize every lawful gun owner in the county amid ongoing nationwide protests. On Tuesday, Sheriff Darryl Daniels released a video discussing his stance towards violence seen in recent protests.
If protests become too much for his deputies to handle, the sheriff said he intends for those being deputized to “stand between lawlessness and civility.” Daniels clarified authorities will protect any peaceful protesters, but any acts of violence will be unacceptable.
“Lawlessness, that’s unacceptable in this country,” stated the Florida Sheriff. “Lawlessness, that’s unacceptable in Clay County and if you threaten to come to Clay County and think that for one second that we’ll bend our backs for you, you’re sadly mistaken.”
WATCH: The Clay County Sheriff's Office issued a warning to violent protesters. pic.twitter.com/k9vFW6g3qB
— News4JAX (@wjxt4) July 1, 2020
Sheriff Daniels is currently nearing the end of his first term and faces six opponents in his bid for reelection.