"I’m highly recommending they blow you back"

A Florida sheriff on Monday encouraged residents to open fire on violent looters who try to enter their homes.

“I would tell them, if you value your life, they probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County. Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters during a news briefing.

“And if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns. So, leave the community alone.”

Judd said protests in the county —  the Lakeland area just east of Tampa and south of Orlando — descended into “civil unrest” Saturday and Sunday and rumors had been circulating online that rioters planned on bringing violence into the neighborhoods, according to FOX 13 News.