The nation’s capital, a top terrorist target, has received new advice should it come under a Paris-style attack. Instead of waiting for police to arrive, D.C.’s police chief is advocating a more aggressive — albeit unarmed — approach.
On CBS’s 60 Minutes, Police Chief Cathy Lanier told Anderson Cooper that potential victims caught in the crossfire should take proactive measures to avoid becoming actual victims:
Anderson Cooper: You’re telling them that now though?
Cathy Lanier: We are.
However, it is unclear how one is supposed to “take the gunman out” and save lives. Washington, D.C. arguably has the strictest gun control laws in the nation. In accordance with the city’s gun laws, Chief Lanier literally stands between all law-abiding citizens and their ability to carry concealed weapons in the nation’s capital. She personally issues or denies concealed carry permits, and to date she has granted just 45 of them on a narrow “good reason” litmus test.
And she has only done so begrudgingly (i.e. by a recent court order). Gun ownership in Washington, D.C. became legal in 2008 as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court Heller decision. However, registered firearms amounted to very expensive paperweights for years, as carrying the firearms in public remained illegal.
But last year, the District was forced to institute concealed carry permit laws via the Palmer ruling. Not surprisingly, the D.C. City Council, with the police department’s backing, made it virtually impossible for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens to acquire a carry permit. The laws require an applicant show “good reason” for the need to carry a gun, such as a documented “special need for self-protection distinguishable from the general community” or a job involving the transport of cash or valuables. (The law’s “good reason” clause was overturned in the Wrenn case in May, but was stayed pending an appeal; arguments began Friday).
The carry permit application reminds everyone that “liv[ing] or work[ing] in a high crime area” doesn’t cut it, despite a violent crime wave this summer with a spike in homicides — including an execution-style shooting.
Terrorism apparently doesn’t alter the equation either. The D.C. police department was asked whether Lanier’s comments mean a change in her position towards the “good reason” clause and a new desire to issue more concealed carry permits. The department was also asked how Chief Lanier specifically recommends taking a gunman out if one is able. An email response by Lieutenant Sean Conboy reads, “We are declining to participate.”
Lanier even pointed out in her interview with Anderson Cooper that it’s difficult to prevent attacks, and police can’t get there in time to prevent casualties.
…..
Cathy Lanier: Your options are run, hide, or fight–
Anderson Cooper: That’s what you tell people they should do?
Cathy Lanier: Yes.
Cathy Lanier: What we tell them is the facts of the matter is that most active shooters kill most of the victims in 10 minutes or less, and the best police department in the country’s going to be about a five-to-seven minute response.
In the 2013 Navy Yard shooting, the first ten victims were killed in six minutes, according to Lanier.
Lanier also recalled how defenseless students at Columbine waited for 45 minutes for law enforcement to enter the school.
Chief Lanier shared her concerns of a lack of preparedness among the general population as well.
Cathy Lanier: No, that works against you. If you educate people on actions they can take to reduce their risk, then you can save some lives. And I think it’s irresponsible for us not to do that. I’m not worried about an overreaction. I’m more worried about a numbness to what is potentially a reality.
Anderson Cooper: A numbness?
Cathy Lanier: Yes.
Anderson Cooper: How do you mean?
Cathy Lanier: Just ignoring it and not preparing yourself. That’s not an option anymore.
So, to sum up the words of wisdom from the police chief of our nation’s capital: The terrorists have guns. So do the police, but the likelihood of them arriving before at least some people are killed is nil. Thus the duty falls to you, the common man “to take the gunman out” if you can. You must be prepared and plan ahead. I’m not going to tell you how you prepare or how exactly to neutralize an armed criminal or terrorist. That is up to you to figure out. However, the option to defend yourself and save lives with a firearm is off the table, because I will not issue you a carry permit unless you have a specific threat against your life.
So if you can’t follow a police directive to take a gunman out by using a legally owned gun, then what are you do? Even trying to carry pepper spray in the District is a confusing endeavor. Apparently, if you buy pepper spray in D.C., the seller has to register the purchase (if you can find a seller to begin with).
Perhaps throwing pencils, books, scissors, water bottles, or canned food is the way to go, as students have been advised to do in the event of a school shooting. Nothing is scarier than a well-sharpened pencil. Except perhaps the barrel of an AK-47. In this case, it’s debatable whether the pen is mightier than the sword.
