During a panel discussion on Wednesday's NBC Today, the morning show's regular liberal pundits had a panic attack over Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke putting out a radio ad calling on local citizens to "Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself." Chief medical editor Nancy Snyderman was aghast: "This is so irresponsible it's dangerous." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Attorney Star Jones chimed in: "I think it's so irresponsible." Snyderman accused the Sheriff of advocating "vigilantism" and ranted: "I don't hear anything in there about safety. It's, 'Arm yourself, the cops won't be there.' Terrible." Advertising executive Donny Deutsch went so far as to suggest that a police officer suggesting people exercise their Second Amendment rights should be illegal: "I'm surprised legally they were able to run that ad." Jones, the supposed legal expert on the panel, agreed: "I'm absolutely surprised that's legal for him to even say."
Jones continued: "And it's irresponsible for him to suggest to put more guns on the streets and to frighten people into thinking that that's the only way for them to protect themselves." Snyderman added: "Especially when there are buy-back programs everywhere." Deutsch melodramatically declared: "It's one of the scariest things I've ever seen." Snyderman concluded: "That's not a role of leadership."
Wrapping up the segment, Lauer suggested bringing on Sheriff Clarke as a guest: "Well, let me see if we can get David Clarke on the show." Snyderman eagerly agreed: "I think we should do that."
If the panel's harsh reaction to Clarke's comments was any indication, the Sheriff shouldn't expect a fair hearing.
Here is a full transcript of the January 30 panel discussion:
8:16AM ET
MATT LAUER: Let's move on to something, public safety here. I'm going to play you an audio commercial or appeal by David Clarke, the sheriff of Milwaukee County. It was released recently. Take a listen.
DAVID CLARKE: 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?
LAUER: I don't have a lot of time on this. It gets your attention...
NANCY SNYDERMAN: This is so irresponsible it's dangerous.
STAR JONES: I think it's so irresponsible.
LAUER: ...is it bad advice?
JONES: It's irresponsible.
SNYDERMAN: It's irresponsible and dangerous.
JONES: One hundred percent.
SNYDERMAN: He's basically, you know, vigilantism, I don't hear anything in there about safety. It's, "Arm yourself, the cops won't be there." Terrible.
LAUER: He's saying take a course and learn how to use a firearm.
DONNY DEUTSCH: I actually, I think politically I'm surprised legally they were able to run that ad.
JONES: I'm absolutely surprised that's legal for him to even say. And it's irresponsible for him to suggest to put more guns on the streets and to frighten people into thinking...
SNYDERMAN: Especially when there are buy-back programs everywhere.
DEUTSCH: Scary.
JONES: ...that that's the only way for them to protect themselves.
DEUTSCH: It's one of the scariest things I've ever seen.
SNYDERMAN: Yeah, and that's not...
JONES: It really is irresponsible.
SNYDERMAN: ...that's not a role of leadership.
LAUER: Well, let me see if we can get David Clarke on the show.
SNYDERMAN: I think we should do that.
JONES: Okay.
LAUER: We'll see if we can make that happen. Guys, professionals, thank you very much as always.
