But Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a staunch opponent of open carry, said the four amendments wouldn’t make the bill acceptable to him — or safe for people who openly display their guns. For instance, he said, if an officer arrives at the scene of a crime and sees someone with a weapon, “At a minimum, they’re going to be thrown down on the ground with a gun pointed at them — or worse.
“And if good citizen with a concealed weapon walks into, say, a bank during an armed robbery, Gualtieri added, “he’s going to take one in the chest because he’s a threat.”
Source: Florida Police Chiefs Will Back Revised Open-Carry Bill | WLRN
I always felt that people like the Sheriff are so afraid of losing their perceived power that they go to the extremes shown above without realizing that they are insulting their own officers or acknowledging that the training in their particular departments is less than optimal.
I think that Sheriff Gualtieri does not realize that if a tragic case does indeed happen and a citizen Carrying Openly gets shot and killed for doing nothing more than minding his own business, he is setting the county to be on the losing end of a multi million dollar lawsuit. Or maybe it is a fellow officer in plainclothes who “gets one in the chest” because the Sheriff gave a tacit consent to his troops that it would be OK.
Just in case, I am planning on staying the hell out of Pinellas County since they seem to be way too trigger-happy for my taste.
PS: Read the article as it has this juicy beginning:
Acknowledging “momentum” behind a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry guns, the Florida Police Chiefs Association said Thursday its board of directors had voted to back the controversial measure — as long as changes designed to protect law-enforcement officers are included.
I am not quite in agreement with all the changes, but I can live with them and the idea is to insert the Camelus bactrianus proboscis inside the wigwam.
This Sheriff is OKaying his men to use Deadly Force, even if its really not clear if its justified or not. He will be seeing the Feds coming down to investigate his department after a officer gets charged with murder and there are riots.
Why not just go by the guidelines set down in the Federal Laws that guide deadly force. Go by the law instead of shooting then making up some BS excuse for doing it. Its not working anymore. Everyone is wise to the BS, way over used statement by police, “I was in fear for my safety” when they try to justify shooting some guy in the back a dozen times.
I understand the nose under the tent argument, but I look for amendments like proposed to the bill to screw it up as much as what its trying to fix. In other words, leaving too much leeway for tyrants like the Pinellas sheriff to abuse the intent. Stupidity like that is going to get someone killed and/or lives ruined. But more abuse could lead to Constitutional carry…… It just sucks that it takes so much pain to get there.
And that will lead to the tightening of the bill in later legislature sessions. I know it sucks, but the other option is another year without any OC bill with a chance of passing and more people getting screwed for accidental display.
I hope the people in his county remember his “stupid” comments at election time. He should not hold public office.
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So if you are a legal carrier the police are now a threat. Can they be shot as well.
Yes if they indiscriminately shoot at you without cause they are fair game.
This Fella is more of a danger than anyone can be by accident, he needs to go!
If an Officer crosses the line and puts another in danger as it has happened in Texas where Law Enforcement stormed a home and one of the Officers was shot and killed the Occupant was justified and acquitted of all charges. Just because they wear a badge does not constitute the authority to the indiscriminate killing of civilians. According to the FBI CCW is the Officers best backup. If an Officer is unable to use prudent judgment which puts others in grave danger like Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, they need to be removed from any duty’s of being armed and forbidden to possess a firearm.
Basically this yo-yo is stating it’s his firm belief that his officers are too damn stupid to intelligently assess any given situation they’re presented with.
If a crime is reported where the suspect is black does he advocate shooting every black person in the area just to make sure?
This sheriff is an idiot. Opening his officers to civil and local and federal criminal charges as well as himself and the county. Retired LEO
“And if good citizen with a concealed weapon walks into, say, a bank during an armed robbery, Gualtieri added, “he’s going to take one in the chest because he’s a threat.”
If it is concealed, who will shoot him or how will it be known whether he is armed?
Gualtieri sounds like a badged moron. Vote someone else as county sheriff.
Any elected official of mine who vowed to execute law abiding citizens should expect an immediate demand for a recall. Barring that, I expect to see an appropriate response from the voters come next election. The onus is on you, Floridians.
Orders to shoot law abiding Americans is a disgrace to that uniform….and his is a disgrace to that Office of Sheriff who should be voted out in the next election…!
Sheriff Gualtieri.
You’re Fired.
This sheriff has clearly stated his intent to violate your civil rights and to commit assault and battery on law abiding individuals. Be prepared. Defend yourself.
I thought threating to shoot (or have someone else to) shoot someone is a crime in its self. Definitely shows signs of a mental problem that someone should look into. just saying
Sounds like a Sheriff that needs to be voted out of office next election cycle. You go against one part of the Constitution, you go against it all.
[…] Except for this guy. The Florida Sheriffs Association would not comment Thursday. But Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a staunch opponent of open carry, said the four amendments wouldn't make the bill acceptable to him — or safe for people who openly display their guns. For instance, he said, if an officer arrives at the scene of a crime and sees someone with a weapon, "At a minimum, they're going to be thrown down on the ground with a gun pointed at them — or worse." And if good citizen with a concealed weapon walks into, say, a bank during an armed robbery, Gualtieri added, "he's going to take one in the chest because he's a threat." "It's not good for Florida, it's not good for the economy, it's not good for tourism," he said. Death Penalty for Open Carry in Florida. ? Gun Free Zone […]
Living in the next county North as I do… with friends down there. Bob’s pretty secure. No matter how bad he gets, the opposition always runs someone who sounds way worse.
His deputies are going to have to shoot someone and lose the lawsuit to wake them up down there.
Of course, most of what Pinellas County’s deputies do isn’t answer bank robberies, but issue traffic citations. The two times I’ve been pulled over the deputy wanted to chat about cars and guns (even offering to buy my Glock 21! once). So I think the conceal carrier in the bank is pretty safe from being drilled by a deputy.
[…] at all. His comments about Open Carriers have made the rounds down here in Florida and the reactions have been […]
He’s got a good point, as a ret-law officer, open carry will start trouble not stop it
Louisiana is an OC state. I’ve OCd for several years, even around officers. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. The more people that OC the more it becomes the norm. This sheriff needs to be removed from office now. For those that have an insane fear at the mere sight of a gun, they need to stay home and take their meds.
[…] Gun Free Zone […]
Another foolish factor in this statement. Suppose one of the people shot down by his department is black?
With the current BLM thing, even if it’s a legit shoot, the officer and department are going to be crucified.
Evidently the mayor must be just as bad if he is allowing this and not firing him.This is what power does to idiots,he is more of a threat to the community then the criminals.I sure wouldn’t think this idiot will raise the property value,I sure wouldn’t live there.
Sounds like it is time for a recall vote down there.
[…] https://gunfreezone.net/index.php/2015/12/11/death-penalty-for-open-carry-in-florida/ […]
What a horribly dangerous thing for the leader of a law enforcement agency to say. I am worried about the next deputy at his agency that has to actually utilize deadly force and then must defend a civil rights lawsuit after those public comments.
Somebody should hand him a roll of toilet paper to wipe the rest of the s–t off his mouth he just blurted out.