Detroit Police Chief James Craig believes crime would drop in the violence-ravaged Motor City if more citizens were armed.
"Most burglars know that, one, they don't want to go inside of a home where the resident's at, because there's a likelihood they might be armed," Craig told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.
"That's why the burglars tend to err on the side of going in during the daytime when folks are at work."
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Craig says there is no reason law-abiding citizens shouldn't be prepared to defend themselves, because criminals certainly are ready.
"These streetwise, violent predators in Detroit are savvy enough that when they're out committing their violent acts, some of them are wearing protective body armor," he said.
"Not only do they wear protective body armor, in some instances, the same violent criminals will make victims disrobe to verify whether or not they're actually armed.
"One researcher suggested after going in to talk with prisoners that they're more afraid of armed citizens than they are armed police officers. That makes a significant statement," Craig said.
"It's troubling when I hear people suggest to me that, 'Well, Chief, you're trying to introduce more guns into a society; that increases crime. How do you figure that?' So I guess it's OK for the criminals who carry guns illegally. Do you think they're going to be sanctioned?"
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