A Florida sheriff has reminded homeowners that if “somebody is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot at them” under state law, adding, “We prefer that you do actually.”
Santa Rose County Sheriff Bob Johnson made the remarks during a press conference describing the arrest of one Brandon J. Harris who Johnson said has been arrested 17 times, faces seven charges after his most recent arrest for burglary.
According to police, Harris broke into a home and was fired upon by a homeowner, forcing him to flee to another house. The homeowner has not come forward.
“I guess they think they did something wrong, which they did not,” Johnson said. “If somebody is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot at them in Santa Rosa County. We prefer that you do actually.”
Florida law states, “A person who is in a dwelling or residence in which the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and use or threaten to use.”
Johnson sent a message to the homeowner during the press conference assuring them that he or she is not in trouble.
“Come see us,” the sheriff said. “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 save taxpayer’s money.”
Harris was charged with attempted burglary with assault, burglary to an occupied dwelling, and resisting arrest, criminal mischief, attempted larceny, burglary to an unoccupied dwelling, according to Sheriff Johnson.
