Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson [above] (whose jurisdiction, oddly, does not include the city of Baltimore but all that surrounds it) loves gun control. He loves it so much that he was part of the hearings on the spontaneous feel-good gun control legislation suggested after the Sandy Hook School shooting. The hearings took place on January 30, 2013. During the line of questioning, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre was asked a (pardon the pun) loaded question. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois asked the question . . .
“We need the firepower and the ability to protect ourselves from our government” — from our government, from the police — “if they knock on our doors and we need to fight back. Do you agree with that point of view?”
LaPierre responded by saying:
“I think without any doubt, if you look at why our founding fathers put it there, they had lived under the tyranny of King George and they wanted to make sure that these free people in this new country would never be subjugated again and have to live under tyranny.
I also think, though, that what people all over the country fear today is being abandoned by their government. If a tornado hits, if a hurricane hits, if a riot occurs that they’re going be out there alone. And the only way they’re going protect themselves in the cold and the dark, when they’re vulnerable is with a firearm. And I think that indicates how relevant and essential the Second Amendment is in today’s society to fundamental human survival.”
LaPierre mentions the rioting (that hadn’t happened yet) which means his statement has proven to be correct in light of the events the unfolded in Ferguson, Missouri and are currently occurring in Baltimore, Maryland. Senator Durbin quickly turned to the Baltimore County Police Chief.
Well, Chief Johnson, you’ve heard it. The belief of the NRA is the Second Amendment has to give American citizens the firepower to fight back against you, against our government.
LaPierre was not allowed to comment further about his statement that was misconstrued, however, Chief Johnson was allowed to respond.
I find it to be scary, creepy. And it’s simply just not based on logic. Certainly, law enforcement across this nation is well-prepared to deal with any natural or man-made disaster that will occur. And, frankly, I just — I can’t relate to that kind of thinking.
He was proven incorrect. Baltimore is obviously not prepared to deal with the situations LaPierre described. It is not strange to me that the NRA was correct and an anti-gunner was proven wrong-in his own city.
Maryland has some of the most strict gun laws in the country yet Baltimore, much like Chicago, remains one of the most dangerous and violent cities in America. Maybe now Chief Johnson can “relate to that kind of thinking.” Perhaps now he can understand that LaPierre was the one correct and “based on logic” while his city burns.
Of course, Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake deserves some credit for helping disprove Chief Johnson. When police were asked why they are watching the looting and doing nothing to stop the crime they responded, “Ask the mayor.” She gave those wishing to riot free reign to destroy what they wanted.
Sources: Daily Caller and Fox News