A Florida sheriff is urging homeowners to shoot intruders as it could “save taxpayers money.”.“If someone is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot them in.Santa Rosa county — we prefer that you do, actually,” said county sheriff Bob Johnson, a 40-year law enforcement veteran, during a televised press conference..Speaking to the public in a televised address on Monday, the sheriff addressed an unidentified homeowner who apparently shot at home invader Brandon Harris with at least 17 prior arrests on his record, says the New York Post..(Video courtesy Pensacola News Journal).Harris, when confronted by more than a dozen deputies and police dogs, hopped fences and continued to break into homes as he ran. Johnson said one “fed-up resident” shot at Harris as he tried to break into their home..“I guess they think they did something wrong, which they did not,” said Johnson, encouraging the homeowner to come forward to authorities and highlighted a gun safety class he would recommend to help the homeowner learn to better their aim. .“You’re not in trouble,” he said. “Come see us. We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday. If you take that you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully you’ll save taxpayers money.”.In Florida, the “stand your ground” law says a home-dweller faced with an intruder may use deadly force when they reasonably believe it to be necessary to defend against deadly force, great bodily harm, kidnapping, rape, or (in some jurisdictions) robbery, or other serious crimes..Johnson referred to Harris as a justice system “frequent flyer” who was first arrested at the age of 13 and spent six years in prison for home invasion..Authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call in the Pace neighbourhood on Wednesday after reports were received about a suspicious man breaking into homes..After a neighbourhood chase, Harris was finally cornered in a home, jumped out a nearby window, and was apprehended by officers in the backyard..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandard.news
