A sheriff in Floria has issued a strong warning to anyone considering using violence while protesting in his county, stating that he would "deputize" the county's lawful gun owners for assistance, per CNN.
"If you threaten to come to Clay County and think for one second that we'll bend our backs for you, you're sadly mistaken," Clay County Sheriff, Darryl Daniels, stated in a video posted to Facebook.
Watch the video message below:"Tearing up Clay County - that's not going to be acceptable. And if we can't handle you - you know what I'll do? I'm going to exercise the power and authority as the sheriff, and I'll make special deputies of every lawful gun owner in this county and I'll deputize them for this one purpose - to stand in the gap between lawlessness and civility," Daniels continued, before adding, "That's what we're sworn to do and that's what we're gonna do. You've been warned."
In recent weeks, protests - both peaceful and violent - have erupted across the US and in major cities around the globe, following the death of George Floyd.
Protestors have called out the country's history of police brutality against black people, and are demonstrating for police reform writ large.
Floyd, a black man, was arrested by Minneapolis police on Monday, May 25, for reportedly using a counterfeit $20 note in a store. While being detained, ex-cop Derek Chauvin - a 19-year veteran of the force - knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
In the video, Daniels said that he had seen images of protests across the nation, but claimed that the relationship between police and the community in Clay County are "great and not strained".
"Look folks don't fall victim to subjecting yourself to this conversation that law enforcement is bad. That law enforcement is the enemy of the citizens that were sworn to protect and serve," he continued.
Daniels added that the officers have taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitution: "We end that [oath] with, 'so help me God'. But God is absent from the media's message or Black Lives Matter or any other group out there that's making themselves a spectacle."
Harold Rutledge, who will be challenging Daniels in upcoming elections, told WJXT that the video message made it appear like the sheriff "challenged rioters and looters to come to Clay County and cause mayhem."
"Part of the problem in policing is that some officers need more training in how to interact with all people and all situations, including how to keep calm and how to de-escalate situations. Threatening to 'make special deputies of every lawful gun owner in this county and I'll deputize them' is going to make the problem worse," he continued in the statement.