Sheriff David Clarke: Guns and 911

Late last week while listening to the radio, I heard Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke's ad encouraging gun owners to take a safety course to learn to use their firearm safely and effectively.

The first time I heard the ad I knew it was going to cause a controversy, and it has.

On Monday, Clarke appeared on CNN and FOX News to discuss his public service announcement. Drudge linked to the story in the Los Angeles Times.

I believe Clarke knew exactly what he was doing. He knew what he was saying in the ad would get national attention.

Here's the audio of the PSA:

Transcript:

SHERIFF DAVID CLARKE: I'm Sheriff David Clarke and I want to talk to you about something personal: your safety. It's no longer a spectator sport; I need you in the game. But are you ready? With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option. You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back. But are you prepared? Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there. You have a duty to protect yourself and your family.

Clarke's message that it's wise to take a "certified safety course" is a good suggestion. It's responsible and appropriate.

What I thought would make people flip out is Clarke's assertion that "simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option." That is somewhat unnerving.

The Sheriff is recommending that the best option is for people to be armed. Given that officers have been laid off and furloughed, calling 911 isn't good enough. That's scary to hear from a law enforcement official.

Is he correct? I suppose so.

If a violent, gun-toting criminal broke into my home and threatened my family, we would be helpless until help arrived if we didn't have a gun. We would be at the mercy of the bad guy. Response time is something to consider. That's a fact.

Clarke shouldn't be condemned for stating that truth.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (3-time loser in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race) reacted to the ad predictably.

[Clarke's] message was not well received by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D), who said apparently Clarke “is auditioning for the next ‘Dirty Harry’ movie.” Barrett called it “troubling” that Clarke sounded like he was dissuading people from calling 911, saying he wants people to call 911 in an emergency. He said Clarke succeeded in his goal of “getting a lot of attention and publicity.”

Typical Barrett crap.

In no way is Clarke dissuading people from calling 911. Clarke's message deals with what to do before law enforcement arrives to a crime scene. He never says calling 911 isn't necessary.

However, it's disingenuous to say that Clarke isn't promoting gun ownership. In the ad, he calls it a "duty" for people to protect themselves. He's not talking about locking the doors and windows. He's talking about having a gun and knowing how to use it, to "fight back" against an intruder.

I think one of the most troubling things about the current gun debate in this country is the lack of honesty, on both sides.