Escambia County District 4 commission candidate Stan McDaniels faces charges for campaigning with a pistol in the front waistband of his pants while standing on the corner of Main and Baylen streets near the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building on July 4.
McDaniels streamed his encounter with the Pensacola Police on Facebook, positioning the shot several times so the public could see the gun.
McDaniels turned himself and was booked at the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon on the charge of carrying a prohibited weapon. In Florida, it is unlawful for any person to openly carry on or about his or her person any firearm. It’s typically a misdemeanor of the second degree, but McDaniels may have a problem because he was so close to the courthouse and the parking garage used by judges and their staff.
On June 4, McDaniels sent the county commissioners an email announcing his intent to stage an event on “our God given rights to keep and bear arms” on July 4. He asked them for campaign contributions to pay for catering, saying he was putting up $1,500 for it.
Dear Commissioners,
I would like to formally invite you to attend an event I have planned for July 4, 2022. I will be taking a stand for our God given rights to keep and bear arms. This event will be from 9-5. Any help with letting people know about the event or catering for the event would be greatly appreciated. I can accept contributions to my campaign from each one of you personally and I will put up to $1500 toward catering. It is so important now more than ever that as Floridians and Pensacolians we take this stand to show the bad guys we will not go softly into the night. As our current Phony of a president speaks on taking these rights away our Governor is recruiting for the Florida State Guard. We could implore him to make events like this a recruiting tool for the Florida State Guard. I know there are many Americans that are ready and willing to live and die for our country right here at home. If Commissioners all over the State take this same stand and County courthouses all over the State are lined with Americans with guns it will show the true nature of what July 4th is all about.
I want to thank you for the self sacrifice it takes to be in the position you are. I know there has been work going on that people are not yet aware of. I know it will take much work of the common citizen to help you do your job of shrinking the Government. The truth of the matter is it has just gotten too big for its britches. As we navigate these stormy waters we find ourselves in as a community, it is going to take Strong Leaders to stomach what is to come. I hope you are all ready for the storm on the horizon. The biggest lie the devil ever told was that it was all just a secret.
Your Faithful & Humble Servant,
Stan McDaniels
Candidate
Escambia County Commission
District 4