more from al.com:

Aaron Lee Williams raised a ruckus in 2010 - and eventually helped change Alabama law - when he secretly tape-recorded Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer turning down his application to renew a conceal-carry permit.

Williams, 30, said he recorded the incident on June 8 of that year because he had gotten word that the sheriff would reject the renewal. Williams, who owns Shadow Lake Farms in Washington County, said he had been licensed without incident since 1996 or 1997. But he had supported Stringer’s opponent in the Democratic primary that month and that, Williams said, changed everything.

During an exchange that lasted several minutes, Stringer referenced his campaign against William Wheat.

“You’ve not ever supported me. And you’ve fought me,” Stringer said on the tape. “You was the only man on that whole road that had a William Wheat sign, and you had it sticking way up high and beautiful. And that’s your privilege. But it’s my privilege to deny you a pistol permit.”

al.com