Grady Judd, the sheriff in Polk County, Fla., said at a news conference on Monday that the people in his jurisdiction “like guns” and rioters better think twice about targeting his community.
“I would tell them, if you value your life, you probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County,” he said. “Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be inside their homes tonight with their guns loaded. And if you try to break into their homes tonight and try to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns.”
Judd was referencing apparent threats that were made on social media. Riots have erupted across the country over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.
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“But Minneapolis is not Polk County,” he said, according to WFLA.com. “And I want to say unequivocally that the community here is unbelievable…But please understand that if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we’re going to lock you up in the county jail.”
Todd Starnes, the host of the “Todd Starnes Radio Show,” said greater measures need to be put into place to confront the anarchists.
“We need boots on the ground, the National Guard needs to be federalized and we need to put an end to this nonsense,” he said. He continued, “Right now, we are by ourselves. We’re it, folks. We’re all alone. It’s up to you and me to protect ourselves and our families and our neighborhoods.”
Starnes said his show was broadcast live from a “heavily fortified news bunker.”
“You’ve got to do the same,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure that you have whatever you need to protect your family and your loved ones. And I hope to high heavens that you have engaged your Second Amendment rights. Now you understand why we have a Second Amendment; now you understand that at the end of the day, you can’t really rely on the government to have your back. That’s what we discovered here.”
Starnes called on President Trump to make a national address because the country needs a “come-to-Jesus” moment. He said the correct approach is the one taken by a bar-owner in Nashville who told employees that if rioters enter his business, you “shoot to kill.”
“A looter steps foot in this business, you shoot first and ask questions later,” Starnes said, quoting the owner.