By of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Appearing on CNN Monday morning, Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. doubled down on his cry for citizens to arm themselves.
Clarke, who last week urged residents to learn how to use a firearm so they can defend themselves, was interviewed by a not-too-sympathetic Soledad O'Brien on her "Starting Point" show.
O'Brien began the interview with a clip of Clarke's call-to-arms radio spot from last week.
"Wow. Wow," she said. "What's the goal in this? Because it's kind of scary. Is it to scare people? Is it to get everybody to run out and buy a gun?"
Clarke, who was interviewed from Monterey, Calif., where he was attending a conference, said the only scary thing is the criminal element.
"Once the wolf is at the door. Once the intruder is inside your home. Once you're on the street and someone sticks a gun in your face to take your car or your wallet, you don't have the option of calling 911," Clarke responded.
Clarke said he just wants to give citizens options of how to defend themselves.
When asked for details about layoffs in his department, Clarke said he has 350 sworn officers and last year he had to lay off 42 people. More at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
