On Friday's New Day on CNN, during a discussion of how to survive a terrorist attack from a mass shooter, CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem not only omitted any recommendation to prepare by learning to use a gun and keeping one handy, but she actually advised against fighting unless "you have no other option" after attempting to run or hide.
Kayyem began by suggesting that people take steps to "feel empowered" as she began:
While this may seem scary, this is just actually a great transformation of the Homeland Security apparatus. We used to sort of say, "We got this, we'll take care of this," and now everyone is realizing we have to engage communities, engage the public, engage parents and others about what they can do (INAUDIBLE), and also you have grip. You feel empowered instead of sitting there watching like, "Oh my God, the world is on fire."
But, after co-host Michaela Pereira read from the UK Counterterrorism National Security Office's list of advice for how to respond to a gunman, instead of advising the option of empowering oneself to fight, the CNN analyst dismissed such steps as she took a jab at GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson, asserted that "there are no heroes here," and recommended against fighting except as a last resort:
Well, it is, but, you know, there was a debate, you know, with Ben Carson, that was like, "Would you take on the terrorists?" or whatever. ... This is what I tell my kids. In an active shooting case, run, and then, guess what? Run faster. There are no heroes here.
And what we learned after Columbine, people like me in my field, is, sometimes running is better. You don't want to just stay put because that actually becomes the target. If you can't run, then you hunker down, bunker down, and you then, in the worse case scenario, if you have no other option, then you engage.
Last July, Kayyem asserted that it would be "absurd" to arm people in "soft targets" like schools and movie theathers to combat terrorism.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Friday, November 20, New Day on CNN from about 7:55 a.m.:
MICHAELA PEREIRA: The UK Counterterrorism National Security Office actually released some guidelines, and I want to pull them up because they might be an interesting, they might be helpful in a situation like this.
JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: While this may seem scary, this is just actually a great transformation of the Homeland Security apparatus. We used to sort of say, "We got this, we'll take care of this," and now everyone is realizing we have to engage communities, engage the public, engage parents and others about what they can do (INAUDIBLE), and also you have grip. You feel empowered instead of sitting there watching-
PEREIRA: Paralyzed in fear.
KAYYEM: -like, "Oh my God, the world is on fire."
PEREIRA: So here we go, first of all, "Identify the safest route and escape if you can." To run is the first thing. If you can't run, then hide. "Try and find a secure hiding place." Finally, "Call the police, give them as much information as possible." Now, that's seeming as though, that's a lot for a panicked brain to consider.
KAYYEM: Well, it is, but, you know, there was a debate, you know, with Ben Carson, that was like, "Would you take on the terrorists?" or whatever. ... This is what I tell my kids. In an active shooting case, run, and then, guess what? Run faster. There are no heroes here.
And what we learned after Columbine, people like me in my field, is, sometimes running is better. You don't want to just stay put because that actually becomes the target. If you can't run, then you hunker down, bunker down, and you then, in the worse case scenario, if you have no other option, then you engage.
This is what you want to protect our own life, and that is the most important thing, and protect the lives of those around you.
(...)
KAYYEM: And this, on the response side, we are moving, we talk about this thing called "whole of community response." Rather than thinking, "The cop is going to save me," it's going to be engaging everyone: What are your neighbors doing? Do your kids know what to do if your cell service goes down? And, you know, where are you all going to meet if you can't communicate? Do you have basic provisions in your house? You know, the number of people who are sort of worried now, I sort of say, "Take 15 minutes, have a conversation with your kids if they're old enough, figure out what you're going to do, buy a few provisions for the house." It gives you a sense of empowerment.
