A different kind of Democrat: Sheriff urges residents to defend themselves from attack

Imagine, a Democrat Sheriff from a big city telling his residents that ultimately, it’s up to them to protect themselves from violent attack.

We’re pleased that there are still plenty of elected officials from the Democrat Party still willing to recognize publicly the proven benefits of firearms ownership – and who will encourage their supporters not to rely on government for all their needs!

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, Jr. has shocked many in his county and beyond saying that “personal safety is no longer a spectator sport.”

Here’s the story from the AP:

A sheriff who released a radio ad urging Milwaukee-area residents to learn to handle firearms so they can defend themselves while waiting for police said today that law enforcement cutbacks have changed the way police can respond to crime.

In the 30-second commercial, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. says personal safety is no longer a spectator sport.

“I need you in the game,” he says.

“With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option,” he adds. “You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back. … Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there.”

Of course, this has sent the leftist, anti-self-defense community into a tizzy.

The ad has generated sharp criticism from other area officials and anti-violence advocates. The president of the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Roy Felber, said it sounds like a call to vigilantism.

“That doesn’t sound too smart,” Felber said. “People have the right to defend themselves, but they don’t have the right to take the law into their own hands.” Under Wisconsin’s “castle doctrine,” someone who uses deadly force against an unlawful intruder to their home, business or vehicle is presumed to have acted reasonably. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Justice said that as of this week, there are about 155,000 concealed carry permits in Wisconsin.

No offense Mr. Felber, but it sounds like your listening comprehension needs a little work if you believe the ad suggested people take the law into their own hands.

It gets better though.

Jeri Bonavia, executive director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, said Clarke took a dangerous position with his ad. She pointed to the case of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida who fatally shot an unarmed 17-year-old following an altercation. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming self-defense under Florida’s “stand your ground” law.

“I feel like this is such an irresponsible thing for our chief public safety officer of a county to do,” Bonavia said. “I think he owes this community an apology. And if he really believes that he’s not capable of providing for our public safety he should get a different job.”

Denial, Ms. Bonavia, has no survival value.

Here’s his radio spot.  It’s well done.  You can judge for yourself if it’s a call for vigilantism or not.

We salute Sheriff Clarke.  Good job, sir.