https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDLrSV4FiV4
A Georgia Sheriff has posted a sign warning visitors that the citizens of his county are armed and ready to defend themselves.
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Georgia Sheriff’s Sign
“Our citizens have concealed weapons,” the sign reads. “If you kill someone, we might kill you back. We have ONE jail and 356 cemeteries. Enjoy your stay!”
The sign was put up by Sheriff Mike Jolley of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Jolley told the Washington Post he wants visitors to feel welcome in his county, but he also wants them to know that any unlawful action will have an equal and opposite reaction.
“If you come and put someone’s life in danger in Harris County, you could stand the risk of being put in danger yourself,” he said.
Jolley acknowledges that guns are a hot-button issue around the country right now. In Harris County, however, he believes most of the population supports the Second Amendment.
“Georgia is very much a Second Amendment state, and Harris County is a strong Second Amendment county,” he said.
2A County
According to a 2012 GAO study cited by the Post, Georgia is the state with the third-highest number of valid concealed carry permits at 600,000. Jolley said the number of CCW permits have tripled in Harris County over the past few years.
“We want people to come and enjoy Harris County,” Jolley said, “but we want them to do it in a safe manner, and we want them to know that they’re safe when they get here.”
Jolley told Patch.com the sign is meant to be “tongue-in-cheek.”
“It’s a way to say people in this county have a second amendment right and if someone uses a weapon, they’re likely in danger,” Jolley said. “Don’t do anything crazy. We’re likely to shoot back.
“I think the sign speaks for itself,” Jolley added. “Citizens here have weapons and that’s legal. We’ve seen an increase in weapons sales. The citizens have a legal right to protect themselves and their property. If you come into our county and kill someone, you might get killed back. Weapons are a tool. They’re not intended for someone to use in a criminal act.”
This isn’t the first time Jolley has made national headlines. In 2015, he put up a sign that read, “Warning: Harris County is politically incorrect. We say Merry Christmas, God Bless America and In God We Trust. We Salute our troops and our flag. If this offends you… Leave!”
Jolley said he updates the sign about once every eight months.