One Tuesday morning on September 11, 2001, we remember watching vivid images on our TV screens as a plane crashed into the second twin tower of the World Trade Center. We watched our country and countrymen (gals, too), come together in a spirit of patriotism, pride, and brotherhood rising and permeating the air. We collectively agreed: Never again.
But once again, on a Tuesday, New York’s citizens and subway system came under attack. A gunman denoted smoke bombs inside a passenger car of the subway and began opening with gunfire. Twenty-nine victims to date have been taken to local area hospitals.
Our guest is Michael Letts, an early responder to the 9/11 attacks. He is a lot of things, a fireman, a policeman, and a police chaplain. But one thing he is not. He’s not convinced that many of our elected leaders have an effective plan to deal with mass murder and injuries. He is here to try and make sense of the senseless New York subway shootings. Welcome, Office Letts.
Q&A:
- What do we know about the subway shooter?
Answer: He is described as a black man, heavy build, around five foot five inches tall, wearing a reflective construction vest, and is still on the loose.
- Relying on your experience and your gut, was this a spontaneous, heinous act, or was it planned?
Definitely pre-planned. Perhaps some of the most critical elements of the shootings indicate that it was thought out and not haphazardly executed.
- Mass shootings, or at least in frequency, are a relatively new trend. What do you think has led to this?
Answer: Yes, mass shootings are becoming an all too often trend across America today. As seen just days ago in Sacramento, California, with scores dead and injured in an automatic machine gun battle for turf in a gang war, active shooter calls are being sounded across America, from democratically led urban cities to rural communities. Some of the factors leading to more frequent attacks are the general disrespect for police, especially the Defund the Police movement, and social media being a stage for a whole lot of attention for the perps. It’s as if they are trying to become folk heroes. - There is nearly universal outrage and political rhetoric permeating the air from bureaucrats and elected officials. That’s a good thing, right?
Answer: Unfortunately, it’s the same pattern. Initial outrage followed but opportunism, and the ineffective measures, accomplishing the usual–nothing! Politicians fall all over themselves to be first in line to sound off on more gun control.
- Tell us why you feel gun control is ineffective.
Answer: For example, machine guns are one of the most regulated weapons in the country, yet are too frequently weapons of choice by drug cartels and other criminal elements. Simply assuming passing a law will remove stolen handguns from the streets is just asinine. So is ignoring that the real threat is the actions of individuals who are not held accountable for their actions.
- You mentioned the Defund the Police movement. Tell us more.
Answer: But by far, the most insane attempt in the past century to decrease crime was the short-lived Defund the Police movement. It fizzled as quickly as it began when communities saw a 39% upsurge in violent crime. Yet we are still suffering the aftermath of that anti-American movement as we attempt to restore police staffing and infrastructure.
- What solution do you propose to slow down these violent trends?
Answer: I propose a 4-step plan:
a.) Require a national database of all elected judicial officials (judges, prosecutors, DA’s Sheriff’s, etc. with full disclosure of all financial contributions (including in-kind) and publicized disclosure of all prosecutorial guidelines being promoted and accepted by those offices, to include early release orders.
b.) Full support and backing for funding, training, equipment, and other necessary support for law enforcement agencies.
c.) Full programs for the recruitment and expansion of future generations of First Responders.
d.) Full support and funding of Suicide prevention and PTSD programs.
- Tell us about InVest USA and how you donate bulletproof vests to police officers and other first responders, and let us know where we may go for more information or support your work.
Answer: InVestUSA.org
Michael A. Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin for Michael Letts 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguests.com
