I was traveling today, listening to NPR, and a story came on I just could not believe. In Minnesota, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke using taxpayer money, posted a local radio spot:
"I’m Sheriff David Clarke, and I want to talk to you about something personal: your safety."
The sheriff is advocating that calling 911 and waiting for the police is no longer your best bet when facing a violent circumstance like home invasion.
"You could beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under your bed or you could 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. Once the wolf is at the door, once the intruder is inside your home, once you’re on the street and someone sticks a gun in your face to take your car or your wallet, you don’t have the option of calling 911."
This is lunacy and fear mongering at its worst, and I can’t recall when any county sheriff personnel have responded to any 911 call anywhere. That’s the job of the local police.
This is the beginning of the national gun lobby push to stop any new gun-control legislation.
I watched NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testify at Senate hearings yesterday and it was the same old talking points. The elite have security via guns, the criminals have guns and now the government is trying to usurp
When asked by Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy, of Vermont, if Mr. LaPierre and the NRA would support enhanced background checks prior to the purchase of a gun, Mr. LaPierre’s response was, "No Senator, we do not support that position." Not surprising given the NRA’s 75-member board -- which approves Mr. LaPierre’s nearly $1 million annual salary -- is dominated by representatives of gun and ammunition makers.
There are nearly 90 million gun owners in this country, of which 4 million are NRA members. And nearly 80 percent of NRA members support stronger background checks before the purchase of a gun.
To allow Mr. LaPierre to portray himself as the representative of the average gun owner in this country, NRA member or not, is a total travesty. Mr. LaPierre is the face and voice of the gun industry.
When I bring to mind the 26 faces of the Newtown school shooting and then bring to mind the moguls of the gun industry at the table to this day counting their profits, it makes me sick to my stomach.
It is time for change.
David Blanchette
Clarksburg
Jan. 31
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