Detroit’s police chief gave a bold proposition for deterring terrorists in his city: arm the citizens.

James Craig points out that a city full of armed residents is not nearly as easy a target as those with strict gun laws.

“A lot of Detroiters have CPLs (concealed pistol licenses), and the same rules apply to terrorists as they do to some gun-toting thug,” Craig tells The Detroit News. “If you’re a terrorist, or a carjacker, you want unarmed citizens.”

Craig points to a new Michigan law that makes it easier to obtain a concealed carry permit as another way to increase safety in the city.

“If you look at what happened in Paris, I’m not saying if more citizens had had guns it would have stopped the terrorists,” Craig says. “But it sure might have helped.”

It seems at least some police agreed the average citizen is the best defense against an active shooter. A different police chief came under fire last month for similar comments. Washington, D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier said during an interview for 60 Minutes that people should try to take down active shooters, but critics were quick to point out the city’s strict gun laws make this nearly impossible.

“Your options are run, hide or fight,” Lanier said. “I always say if you can get out, getting out’s your first option, your best option. If you’re in a position to try and take the gunman down, to take the gunman out, it’s the best option for saving lives before police can get there.”

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