BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – In a viral video posted to Facebook about gun ownership, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey claims that he is saying what other sheriffs across the country are thinking, but are too afraid to say.
[Click here to watch full video posted]
"So let there be no mistake in what I'm about to say. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," Ivey said in the video posted Sunday night to the Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.
By Tuesday morning, the video had 3 million views and more than 70,000 shares.
The outpouring of reaction is something Ivey said he wasn't expecting.
"It needs to be said that we are going to stand up and unite together, and quite frankly, it's not being said, and I think people are thirsty for a solution to this problem," Ivey told News 6.
Political correctness is why Ivey said law enforcement leaders across the country are biting their tongues. Ivey said that he's personally disgusted by the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. He said that he wants law-abiding armed citizens to have the ability to take down a shooter.
"The cavalry is coming, but if you can eliminate the threat, or stall it until we get there, that's what we are wanting," said Ivey.
His video also has more than 20,000 comments on Facebook, with mostly positive responses, as it continues to spread on social media.
"It's time for PC to become the acronym for protecting citizens, which is government's first and only priority to its people," Ivey said in the video.
It's not only guns. Ivey said for people who oppose firearms, anything they can get hold of to help protect themselves is something they should be mindful of during what he calls a "unique time" in American history.
"There's a Taser, there's pepper spray. There is -- I don't care if you pick up a brick to protect yourself and save your family," Ivey said.
The Sheriff's Office conducts a tactical shooting self-defense course once a month and said since the Facebook video was posted, several more people have signed up to take part in the class.