As nightly riots continue to rage in cities across the nation, one Florida sheriff is warning violent protesters not to bring the chaos to his county – because his people are armed.
"The people in Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference Monday. “If you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I'm highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns."
Polk County implemented an 8 p.m. curfew effective Monday night to try to tamp down on the chaos and violence that has overwhelmed many cities and towns throughout the nation, clashes that have left several people dead, many wounded, stores looted and destroyed, and multiple buildings in flames. Judd's deputies have already been called in to help disperse crowds and try to clear the streets of protesters who were blocking traffic, with Judd warning protesters who turn to violence that "We are going to hunt you down and lock you up if you engage in any criminal conduct."