COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) -- The South Carolina Attorney General made comments questioning the legality of stay at home orders for cities. Sunday, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin addressed those remarks.

“His position on this issue is just flat out wrong,” said Mayor Benjamin.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson claims local governments do not have the power to issue emergency orders like Columbia's stay at home order.

“If he does believe we are inconsistent with state law then he should move. We don’t need a press release, we need legal action,” said Mayor Benjamin.

WACH FOX News reached out to the attorney general’s office for comment but have not heard back. Mayor Benjamin believes he’s taking steps to protect his citizens.

“This is not a political discussion. This is not a constitutional crisis. This is a public health crisis,” said Mayor Benjamin.

People WACH FOX News spoke with in Columbia seem to agree.

“I think it might be a wise thing at this point,” said Lorraine Norris, who lives in Columbia.

“I felt like it was a good idea. I’m scared about this situation. I feel like if everybody does what they can in the short term then we’ll get through it,” said Jean Andrews, who lives in Columbia.

Many said they are preparing to abide by that order.

“I had to come out and take care of a few errands that I really needed to do and now going back in,” said Norris.

“We just grocery shopped and that’s really it,” said Andrews.

That stay at home order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m Sunday.