Detroit Police Chief James Craig believes that if more citizens were armed, criminals would think twice before attacking them. He said responsible gun owners would likely deter crime, the Detroit News reports.

During a press conference Thursday at police headquarters, Craig siad, “When we look at the good community members who have concealed weapons permits, the likelihood they’ll shoot is based on a lack of confidence in this Police Department.” Sounds like something National Rifle Association executive Wayne LaPierre would say.

Chief Craig was a staunch gun control supporter during his 28-year tenure at the Los Angeles Police Department. That changed when he left California in 2009 and became police chief in Portland, Maine.

He said, “coming from California, where it takes an act of Congress to get a concealed weapon permit, I got to Maine, where they give out lots of CCWs [carrying concealed weapon permits], and I had a stack of CCW permits I was denying. That was my orientation.” He then added, “I changed my orientation real quick. Maine is one of the safest places in America. Clearly, suspects knew that good Americans were armed.”

As of December, nearly 80,000 concealed carry permits were approved in Wayne County, where Detroit is located, Michigan State Police documents show.

Chief James Craig supports a ban on assault weapons, regulating magazines and ammunition, as well as tighter background checks at gun shows, the Huffington Post reports.  So, do you agree with Chief Craig that more good guys with guns will deter criminals?

This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.