Clarke Tells Gun Owners To "Fight Back," But Police Say Not So Fast

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke’s personal safety message, which called on Milwaukee County gun owners to “fight back” and take a certified gun safety course, started a media firestorm as Clarke appeared on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.

The inquiries came after Clarke issued the following public service announcement:

I’m Sheriff David Clarke, and I want to talk to you about something personal…your safety. It’s no longer a spectator sport; I need you in the game, but are you ready? With officers laid-off and furloughed, simply calling 9-1-1 and waiting is no longer your best option. You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back; but are you prepared? Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there. You have a duty to protect yourself and your family. We’re partners now. Can I count on you?

Airing on news talk radio host Mark Belling’s show, put on the department’s website and posted on the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the message has unnerved anti-violence and anti-gun groups.

One anti-violence group called Clarke’s message “vigilantism” and a spokes woman from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s office said: "Apparently, Sheriff David Clarke is auditioning for the next Dirty Harry movie," according to the Journal Sentinel.

On Badger Blogger, Glenn D. Frankovis wrote:

…the point is that when someone is breaking into your home, you really ARE in a much better position to respond to the threat than waiting for an Officer to respond to your 911 call (assuming you even have time to make that call).

Area police departments aren't lining up behind Clarke. Greenfield Police posted the following on its Facebook page: "The decision to arm yourself with a firearm is a very personal and private decision that should not be driven by fear that our officers will not respond to your calls for help."

Greendale police had a similar message, also distributed on Facebook: "Your decision whether or not to arm yourself should not be influenced by other people’s opinions, or fear. It should be your own personal choice. If you chose to arm yourself, we would urge you to take a firearms safety class and a class for carrying a concealed weapon."

No comment was available from Oak Creek police, as  and issues related to mass shootings.

But there are some who agree. Francois Ross, of Glendale, is a certified NRA instructor who teaches classes on personal protection in the home and pistol shooting at the Racine County Line Rifle Club in Caledonia.

Ross said he likes Clarke’s stance.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” he said. “If you talk to any police officer or anyone in the FBI, and you ask them how many murders have you stopped they will all say zero. Most of those things are over before the cops are even called.”

What do you think of Clarke's comments?