I totally missed this before that widely-reported shooting incident in the city of my birth some days ago. Not surprising that it didn’t get a lot of national ink, but it seems that last month an actual police chief in an actual once-great city came right out and said,
“Coming from California (Craig was on the Los Angeles police force for 28 years), where it takes an act of Congress to get a concealed weapon permit, I got to Maine, where they give out lots of CCWs (carrying concealed weapon permits), and I had a stack of CCW permits I was denying; that was my orientation.
“I changed my orientation real quick. Maine is one of the safest places in America. Clearly, suspects knew that good Americans were armed.”
Craig’s statements Thursday echoed those he made Dec. 19 on “The Paul W. Smith Show” on WJR (760 AM), when he said: “There’s a number of CPL (concealed pistol license) holders running around the city of Detroit. I think it acts as a deterrent. Good Americans with CPLs translates into crime reduction. I learned that real quick in the state of Maine.”
A taxeater who can learn? There’s a rare and wonderful sight. Apparently he said it on a local radio talk show in December, and then when he caught flack for it he called a press conference and said it again.
So welcome to the ranks, Chief Craig? Here’s your GOA cap? Not really so much.
Craig is not completely pro-gun. The chief also supports banning so-called ‘assault weapons,’ regulating so-called ‘high-capacity’ magazines and expanding background checks to cover gun transfers made via the Internet and at gun shows.
Nevertheless, some feel that he deserves credit for taking a stand that is rather unpopular amongst police chiefs, particularly those in major cities.
“It’s a huge, radical departure for the police chief to say good people should have access to firearms,” Rick Ector, a gun safety instructor, told The Detroit News. “I’m not ready to say he’s pro-gun just yet, but it’s vastly different from what police chiefs have said in the past.”
Okay, there’s room for growth there. And I’m sure he would never be so unmutual as to condone self-reliance without the proper certificate of permission from the State. But still, credit where it’s due. And what’s left of the DPD must surely have better things to do than go around busting peaceable people who’re just trying to defend themselves. It’s good that he sees that.
Coming from CA, thats quite a step for a lawman, and hopefully just the beginning. Mayhap he’s realized that A) those friendly fellows taking potshots at his officers are not the same folks as the permit holders what cross his desk and B) his officers aren’t the only folks taking fire. Now, if the region could just find some new business opportunities, Detroit might become a city again, rather than a euphemism for ‘Tinpot Socialist Hellhole Within the Borders’. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and all that.
I think that particular Chief of Police has realized that the Police really lost control of the city and has decided to focus on the criminals instead of the law abiding citizens. When, due to budget cuts, the police can no longer answer many calls you are on you own.