Polk County sheriff warns people to arm themselves after Texas shooting

'We've got to look out for each other,' sheriff says

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is warning citizens to arm themselves after this weekend's mass shooting in Texas. 

Judd took to Facebook to send a message about citizens protecting themselves after a shooter in Texas took 26 lives when he opened fire inside a church.

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"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun," the post read.

Judd referenced the man who heard the shots nearby and chased down the Texas shooter with his rifle, exchanging gunfire before chasing him with another man in his truck. President Donald Trump also spoke on the issue today, saying "hundreds" would have been killed if gun control laws had been in place.

"The bottom line is simply this," Judd says. "We need to look out for each other in this society." 

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is offering free active shooter prevention training for local businesses. You can find more information on the program here. 

Active Shooter Response

In response to the horrific active shooter scenarios that have happened in our country this year, most recently in Sutherland Springs, TX, Sheriff Judd discusses the importance of citizens arming themselves - the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun. We are committed to keeping all of Polk County's citizens safe - where you work, live, play, and worship. We have subject matters experts who provide training to local businesses on how they can "run, hide, fight" in response to an active shooter, and how make their businesses a hard target for an active shooter. Any business owner who wishes to sign up for this FREE Active Shooter Prevention Training can call the PCSO Crime Prevention Unit during normal business hours at 863-298-6677, or email us at crimeprevention@polksheriff.org. #PCSO #SutherlandSprings #runhidefight #crimeprevention

Posted by Polk County Sheriff's Office on Monday, November 6, 2017