TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell made his stance on national discussion known on a local talk radio station.
The topic of the interview, which aired on WFLA (100.7), was gun control. Since the mass shooting of several children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, there has been a national discussion on whether or not we should have stricter rules for gun ownership.
On Wednesday, January 16, President Obama announced a $500 million package of executive actions and legislative proposals aimed at reducing gun violence. Part of that package-- a call on Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Just a few hours before the announcement, Sheriff Campbell was interviewed on The Morning Show with Preston Scott. During the interview, Sheriff Campbell was asked if he would comply with a federal mandate ordering him to turn over his weapons, if such an edict were to be issued. The answer? A full-voiced "no."
"I don't work for the United States government; I do not work for the president of the United States; I work for the citizens of Leon County, Florida," Campbell said.
He said that if the president sent military to enforce this hypothetical mandate, the outcome would be similar to that of Little Rock, Arkansas, during integration. He said that he wouldn't back down until "they come down and use federal might to do it."
Campbell also said that such mandate would be unconstitutional and would violate the second amendment. He added that lawmakers should not issue any laws that the citizens do not agree with.
"The power of the President of the United States is not greater than the power of the people of the United States," Campbell said.
Campbell added that it's a matter of public safety. He that the only way that citizens can protect themselves against armed criminals is with a gun.
"We want to keep our guns; are you going to come take them away from us? I'm not going to give them mine," Campbell said.
Sheriff Campbell was not available for interview Thursday.
Click here to listen to the entire interview on WFLA.
