Mayor Clint Johnson says every one of DeBary's nearly 20,000 residents should be armed.
- DeBary mayor proposes every resident get a concealed weapons license
- Resident reaction is mixed
- Mayor Clint Johnson says he will bring up the proposal at the next meeting
"The easiest way to be safe is to be armed, and I'm calling on all residents to arm themselves," Johnson said. "After the Orlando shooting I've been thinking about it a lot and I don't want DeBary to be victims."
Pulse nightclub in Orlando is where a gunman shot and killed 49 patrons, and wounded 53 others. Mayor Johnson says Debary would be one of the safest cities in Florida if his proposal passes. It's a proposal which also includes taxpayer dollars.
"I want people in this city to go to the gun shop, receive training, get a concealed weapons license and actually put some tax dollars towards that purpose," said Mayor Johnson.
We reached out to Volusia County's top cop, Sheriff Ben Johnson to see how he felt about it, but the sheriff is out of town and could not comment.
We then asked homeowners how they feel about the mayor's latest proposal.
"I think that's ridiculous. Why do I have to arm myself?” said LeeAnne Balk, who disagrees with the proposal.
“That's a little ridiculous," said DeBary resident Allen Styer who agrees with gun ownership, but not arming every resident.
"Well I think it shows a little paranoia on his part, maybe," said Robert Bradley.
One person did agree with the proposal but did not want to comment on camera.
Mayor Johnson says he will bring up the proposal to arm every DeBary resident during an upcoming city council meeting. Mayor Johnson says he envisions the day when every Debary resident attending a city council meeting will be armed during the meeting.
“Who's going to come to a place where everybody's ready to defend themselves? It be stupid," Johnson said.