A Florida sheriff has posted a video to Facebook urging citizens to arm themselves in the wake of a shooting at an Orlando workplace that left six people dead last week, including the shooter. Watch it
“Like each of you, I am sickened and deeply concerned about the cowardly attacks that are taking place around the world,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey says in the video. “Attacks where defenseless citizens are being murdered and critically injured.”
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While images of the Fort Lauderdale airport and Pulse nightclub shootings appear on the screen behind him, Ivey notes that terrorists and active shooters use “every weapon available” including guns, knives, trucks, hammers and explosives to target law-abiding citizens. Ivey says these deadly attacks can happen “anywhere in the world,” including churches, concerts, tourist destinations and businesses.
“Folks, now more than ever is the time for our citizens to be prepared to serve as the first line of defense, not only for them but for their families when the attack happens,” Ivey says. “And let me be perfectly clear: doing nothing or just hoping it won’t happen to you, is not going to save your life.”
Bearing this in mind, Ivey says “what’s next is to fully understand that this is war, and you better be prepared to wage war to protect you, your family, and those around you if attacked.”
To do this, Ivey suggests that people take self defense classes. He also says concealed carry permit holders should carry their firearms on them as much as possible.
“No matter who you are or what your position is on guns, there’s no denying the fact that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun or a knife is an armed and well-prepared citizen or law enforcement officer,” Ivey said.
If you don’t have a carry permit or aren’t comfortable using firearms, Ivey encourages citizens to arm themselves with Tasers or other items nearby, like chairs, knives or fire extinguishers.
