Seminole County tax collector employees can carry while working

SANFORD, Fla. — Seminole County's tax collector told Eyewitness News that a new policy will allow his employees to openly carry firearms while they work.

Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg told Channel 9's Mike Manzoni that he and his deputy tax collectors are exempt from a state law that prohibits employees from carrying a gun while performing their duties. Greenberg said state law considers his deputy tax collectors,"revenue officers."

Greenberg began openly carrying his handgun Thursday.

"I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it," Greensberg said.

Greenberg said the measure will save taxpayers' money, however, he didn't say how much. He did say it would be less expensive than hiring full-time security guards to go with deputy tax collectors who seize property. Private security guards could cost taxpayers as much as $400,000 a year, Greenberg said.

Greenberg said his deputy tax collectors are busy this time of the year seizing property from people who don't pay their taxes.

Cox Media Group