Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

I don’t know why Sheriff Johnson’s comments attracted so much attention. It could be that when people think of Florida, they conclude that Floridians are represented by the denizens of Palm Beach and Miami. They would be wrong. Get away from the tourist traps and the average Floridian, put the “Red” in redneck. For those unfamiliar with Santa Rosa County, it makes up part of what is called the “Redneck Riveria, in the Florida panhandle. To the locals, Sheriff Johnson’s comments aren’t particularly noteworthy.

“We don’t know what homeowner shot at him,” Johnson told reporters during a press conference. “I guess they think they did something wrong, which they did not. If somebody’s breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County; we prefer that you do, actually.”
Whoever that was, you’re not in trouble. Come see us. We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday, and if you take that, you’ll shoot a lot better, and hopefully, you’ll save the taxpayers money.”

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson

Here is the story: https://dailycaller.com/2022/04/23/florida-santa-rosa-county-sheriff-homeowners-welcome-shoot-burglars-break-in/

Talk is cheap Sheriff, put your money where your mouth is. The Santa Rosa County commissioners have a chance to back their Sheriff up. I would propose a “tax holiday” for Santa Rosa County residents who shoot a felon. Homeowners would be exempt from property taxes. Non-homeowners would be exempted from excise taxes, car and boat registration, and any other county fees for the year of the event. Those that shoot and miss get free entry to the firearms class and practice ammunition.

I foresee a downside to such a policy. It could be manifested two ways. An increase in reported shootings to take advantage of the tax breaks. Secondly, a decline in the gator population. This would come about once the locals start producing dead burglars and thieves rather than using time tested methods. Taking the dearly departed out into the swamps and feeding them to the gators.