Volusia County beach safety officer’s union wants to purchase rifles for officers to carry in their vehicles.
Union officials said they are working on a deal with the county to purchase the rifles.
“Our officers are sworn law enforcement officers and they want to be able to protect the public,” said Bryon White, interim president of Volusia Watermen's Association
The beach safety officers union said it’s been working with the county for about a year to purchase rifles.
The union said it's still working out the details of how many to purchase, what kind to buy, and the cost of the rifles.
Union officials said the rifles would be kept in the vehicles unless they were needed and not carried on the beach.
“I know some people might look at this and say, ‘Beach safety, primarily they are dealing with water rescues, littering, drunk and disorderly,’” White said.
Channel 9 reporter Mike Springer asked why the officers need the rifles.
“I think it's important and it's our responsibility to mitigate risks wherever we can,” White said.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Some tourists said the rifles might be a bit too much. But others said one can never be too careful.
“The world today, you never know what's going to happen. Anybody could just walk out on the beach with an AK-47, or whatever, like what happened in Las Vegas, and start firing,” said tourist Kevin Martin.
The union said if the county approves the plan to purchase the rifles, the officers could have them within the next two years.
Cox Media Group
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