CNN tried again Wednesday morning to link crime in liberal countries with the laws of pro-gun states. Jim Sciutto, CNN’s co-host, recalled New Yorkers complaining about gun transfers from Southern states.
Discussing a new CDC report documenting the surge in homicides, the CNN host did at least acknowledge that the morale of police officers has been hurt, contributing to the spike in crime, but did not clarify the role the media has played in making it that way with their over-coverage of police-involved violence.
Sciutto spoke with LeRonne Armstrong (Oakland, California) police chief. He suggested that guns being available in pro-gun states is causing more crime. However, he strangely described more conservative states having “liberal gun law.” CNN’s host asked:
My producer and I spent some time with the NYPD on patrol a few weeks ago, and one thing NYPD leaders cite is what they call the “iron pipeline,” and that is a sort of Pipeline of weapons coming from the South with liberal gun laws to New York. What do you think?Where do these weapons get into the country? Is there a way to stop these weapons from getting into your home?
Armstrong spoke out about finding guns brought into California by Nevada or Arizona from Nevada. Erica Hill was the host and she raised the question of whether “gun violence” should be declared a “public emergency”.
We’re now looking at this data to see the Oakland murder rate. The city council approved a resolution declaring gun violence in Oakland a public emergency. The AMA stated years ago that gun violence in Oakland is a health emergency. Does almost redefining gun violence as a public health issue — does that help you?
Sciutto raised the morale question after the chief police officer agreed with the move. Without clearly recalling the problem from the past year of the media subjecting police officers to an overabundance of scrutiny and Monday morning quarterbacking about how they do their jobs, the CNN host posed:
Many police chiefs across the country often speak out about low morale in their officers. Are you having the same experiences? Do you believe that this is part of the problem? Do officers respond differently to this type of environment?
Armstrong admits:
But I have seen the impact of a reducing staff. Many people have decided to leave law enforcement. Others feel it is a hard job being a police officer. So, I believe law enforcement in the United States is dealing with retention and recruitment issues to ensure that police officers are always wearing uniforms.
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The following is a transcription:
CNN Newsroom
October 6, 2021
Eastern at 9:19
JIM SCIUTTO: My producer and I spent some time with the NYPD on patrol a few weeks ago, and one thing NYPD leaders cite is what they call the “iron pipeline,” and that is a sort of Pipeline of weapons coming from Southern States with liberal gun laws all the way to New York. You might see something similar depending on where you live in California.Where do these weapons get into the country? Is there a way to stop these weapons from getting into your home?
CHIEF LeRONNE ARMSTRONG, OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT: Yeah, we definitely have seen the increase in firearms coming across the California border both from Nevada and Arizona. This influx continues to be brought into the community by the ATF. We have been working closely with them to curb it. We had seen ghost guns in the city of Oakland in 2018 and prior years, but, in 2020 and 2021, we’ve seen a significant increase in the recovery of these untrackable weapons. It is also problematic to law enforcement.
ERICA HILL : Yes, we are looking at these figures here to see the Oakland murder rate. You can also find it here. The city council approved recently a resolution declaring gun violence in Oakland.It is a matter of public safety. It’s a public health emergency, you know? The AMA stated years ago that this was a public issue — it is a crisis in public health. Does almost redefining gun violence as a public health issue — does that help you?
ARMSTRONG, I believe it. This sends the message that this is not about violence against a specific group of people. This really speaks to the fact that it is an issue that everyone should notice. It has had an impact on all parts of our country, as you’ve shown in your statistics. Oakland should be asking everyone to get involved in the fight against gun violence. It is an honor to hear the council sound off to let everyone know that this crisis is serious and requires immediate attention.
SCIUTTO: Many police chiefs across the country often speak out about low morale in their officers. Are you having the same experiences? Do you believe that this is part of the rise in crime? Do officers behave differently when policing in such an environment?
ARMSTRONG : My officers have never been treated any different. We reorganized our police force to be more focussed. We feel that we have a responsibility to the public’s safety. And so our officers are going out there and doing the best job they can to address violent crime. However, I have seen the impact of a reducing staff. Some individuals are choosing not to join law enforcement. Others feel it is a hard job being a police officer. My belief is that the United States has a number of retention and recruitment issues when it comes to keeping officers in uniform.
SCIUTTO – That’s an interesting story that we often hear.
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