Midlands Sheriffs Weigh in on Residents Carrying Guns

The Florida sheriff is calling for residents to take up arms following attacks in Paris and San Bernardino.

Now Sheriffs in the Midlands are weighing in on whether residents should be taking advantage of their 2nd amendment right.

“There is a need for people to protect themselves,” says Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster

“I would encourage it, yes,” says Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews.

“We support that,” says Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.

Sheriff Matthews says the recent attacks are proof that a crisis can happen when least expected.

He says, “If you’re not going to carry it why have it. It needs to be within close proximity of you should you have the need to defend yourself.”

Despite unrelenting efforts to decrease response times law enforcement leaders say it takes just seconds for a dire situation to become deadly.

Sheriff Lott explains, “We can’t be relied on to be that first first protector you actually have to protect yourself. The first unit responded in California in 4 minutes and people were already dead.”

For gun retailers, the recent incidents mean a spike in sales, as residents take protective precautions.

Adam Ruonala, with Palmetto State Armory, tells ABC Columbia, “We have seen an increase probably about 20%. Better to have it and never need it than need it and never have it is a lot of the motto people are carrying today.”

Retailers and officer both emphasize the importance of education and training when using a firearm of any kind.

Foster emphasizes, “The guns are not the problem it’s the people that are using them in an elicit and illegitimate fashion. There’s more than just protecting yourself with a hand gun. You have to protect yourself in the aftermath of using the handgun.”

All of the Sheriffs encourage Concealed Weapons Permit courses for all gun owners.