Interpol Chief Ponders Armed Citizens as Defense Against Terroists

[Dale00]

Hopefully Mr. Noble's idea will be discussed. Kudos to him. Let's hope he isn't tranferred to Siberia.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said today the U.S. and the rest of the democratic world is at a security crossroads in the wake of last month's deadly al-Shabab attack at a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya – and suggested an answer could be in arming civilians.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Noble said there are really only two choices for protecting open societies from attacks like the one on Westgate mall where so-called "soft targets" are hit: either create secure perimeters around the locations or allow civilians to carry their own guns to protect themselves.

"Societies have to think about how they're going to approach the problem," Noble said. "One is to say we want an armed citizenry; you can see the reason for that. Another is to say the enclaves are so secure that in order to get into the soft target you're going to have to pass through extraordinary security." ...

...The secretary general, an American who previously headed up all law enforcement for the U.S. Treasury Department, told reporters during a brief news conference that the Westgate mall attack marks what has long been seen as "an evolution in terrorism." Instead of targets like the Pentagon and World Trade Center that now have far more security since 9/11, attackers are focusing on sites with little security that attract large numbers of people.

... Citing a recent call for al Qaeda "brothers to strike soft targets, to do it in small groups," Noble said law enforcement is now facing a daunting task.

"How do you protect soft targets? That's really the challenge. You can't have armed police forces everywhere," he told reporters. "It's Interpol's view that one way you protect soft targets is you make it more difficult for terrorist to move internationally. So what we're trying to do is to establish a way for countries … to screen passports, which are a terrorist's best friend, try to limit terrorists moving from country to country. And also, that we're able to share more info about suspected terrorists."

In the interview with ABC News, Noble was more blunt and directed his comments to his home country.

"Ask yourself: If that was Denver, Col., if that was Texas, would those guys have been able to spend hours, days, shooting people randomly?" Noble said, referring to states with pro-gun traditions. "What I'm saying is it makes police around the world question their views on gun control. It makes citizens question their views on gun control. You have to ask yourself, 'Is an armed citizenry more necessary now than it was in the past with an evolving threat of terrorism?' This is something that has to be discussed."

"For me it's a profound question," he continued. "People are quick to say 'gun control, people shouldn't be armed,' etc., etc. I think they have to ask themselves: 'Where would you have wanted to be? In a city where there was gun control and no citizens armed if you're in a Westgate mall, or in a place like Denver or Texas?'" ...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/exclusive-westgate-interpol-chief-ponders-armed-citizenry/story?id=20637341

 

[lee1000]

This damning to the gun banners.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Old Fart]

The British are having a uptake in this discussion also. I can't find the article but it was about the citizens wanting the ability back and the government thinking it was a good idea.

 

[WessonOil]

They just need to take the guns away from criminals in those countries so those kinds of things won't happen.

 

[Defnestor]

Why can't we just pass a law making it illegal to use a gun in a crime? Ooh, even better, let's pass a law making crime illegal!

 

[Lakenut]

Ive heard it several times....not sure if its true. Maybe someone can confirm....during WWII the Japanese did not invade the US because of the number of civilians who owned guns here in the US.

 

[Dale00]

Read the original post and keep it on topic.

 

[Riley]

Ive heard it several times....not sure if its true. Maybe someone can confirm....during WWII the Japanese did not invade the US because of the number of civilians who owned guns here in the US.

"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."

This, I believe, is frequently and incorrectly, attributed to ADM Yamamoto. While he designed the attack on Pearl Harbor, he cautioned the leadership in Japan not to engage the US. So, while it fits his reported perspective, there does not appear to be a verifiable source for it.

For more see here: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto

 

[lee1000]

"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."

This, I believe, is frequently and incorrectly, attributed to ADM Yamamoto. While he designed the attack on Pearl Harbor, he cautioned the leadership in Japan not to engage the US. So, while it fits his reported perspective, there does not appear to be a verifiable source for it.

For more see here: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto

How about:
"You cannot confiscate the firearms kept by the American people. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass"

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk