Seminole County tax collector will allow employees to carry guns

SANFORD, Fla. – A Central Florida tax collector says a new policy will allow his employees to openly carry firearms while they work.

Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg told the Orlando Sentinel that according to Florida law, he and his employees are considered "revenue officers" and are exempt from the state's ban on the open carrying of firearms while performing their duties.

Greenberg said his office will save about $350,000 a year by not hiring private security to accompany deputy tax collectors to see property or at branch offices where residents renew vehicle registrations and obtain other licenses.

He said 15 to 20 employees will be allowed to carry firearms.

Greenberg said no one will be forced to carry a weapon, adding that he "can't imagine that they wouldn't want to."

Watch News 6 for more on this story.