Oct. 21, 2015 ABC News interviewed Interpol's Secretary-General:
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Noble said there are really
only two choices for protecting open societies from attacks like the one
on Westgate mall where so-called "soft targets" are hit: either create
secure perimeters around the locations or allow civilians to carry their
own guns to protect themselves.
"Societies have to think about how they're going to approach the
problem," Noble said. "One is to say we want an armed citizenry; you can
see the reason for that. Another is to say the enclaves are so secure
that in order to get into the soft target you're going to have to pass
through extraordinary security."
Noble's comments came only moments after the official opening of the
82nd annual gathering of the Interpol's governing body, the General
Assembly. The session is being held in Cartagena, Colombia, and is being
used to highlight strides over the last decade in Colombia's battle
against the notorious drug cartels that used to be the real power in the
country.
The secretary general, an American who previously headed up all law
enforcement for the U.S. Treasury Department, told reporters during a
brief news conference that the Westgate mall attack marks what has long
been seen as "an evolution in terrorism." Instead of targets like the
Pentagon and World Trade Center that now have far more security since
9/11, attackers are focusing on sites with little security that attract
large numbers of people....
Concerning the Westgate Mall attack:
"Ask yourself: If that was Denver, Col., if that was Texas, would those
guys have been able to spend hours, days, shooting people randomly?"
Noble said, referring to states with pro-gun traditions. "What I'm
saying is it makes police around the world question their views on gun
control. It makes citizens question their views on gun control. You have
to ask yourself, 'Is an armed citizenry more necessary now than it was
in the past with an evolving threat of terrorism?' This is something
that has to be discussed."
"For me it's a profound question," he continued. "People are quick to
say 'gun control, people shouldn't be armed,' etc., etc. I think they
have to ask themselves:
'Where would you have wanted to be? In a city where there was gun
control and no citizens armed if you're in a Westgate mall, or in a
place like Denver or Texas?'"
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