The National Rifle Association is endorsing one of the four candidates in the Leon County Sheriffs race.
At his gun range in Midway called Talon Range, Charlie Strickland announced he has the NRA’s backing. And, Thursday, Strickland released a video that includes the NRA’s endorsement.
The endorsement comes after comments he made at a recent Tiger Bay Club meeting with regards to allowing college students to carry guns on campus—which failed to pass the Florida legislature this year.
“That 18-year-old that we’ve got getting his limbs blown out in Afghanistan that goes home to go to college can’t carry a firearm to protect himself and protect his friends and our campus, his professors…there are a lot of support for open carry and for campus carry,” said Strickland, at the time. “It’s not a politically correct thing to talk about, but the fact is it’s our constitutional right, folks. And, I support the Second Amendment, as it reads. Now, the legislature doesn’t care what I think. So, I will voice my opinion, but I don’t write the laws.”
In a letter, the NRA’s Marion Hammer says no other candidate in the race has the commitment, background, or proven record of dedicated service to the Second Amendment.
Strickland, the only Republican in the race, has worked at the Leon County Sheriff’s office for almost 25 years. He’s up against Tommy Mills—who’s worked at the Sheriff’s office for just as long—current Sheriff Mike Wood, and former Tallahassee Police Chief Walt McNeil—the only Democrat in the race.
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