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Be prepared with a gun, Robinson says
Some residents of West Salem consider his advice unhelpful in preparing for terrorist attack
By Carey Hamilton
JOURNAL REPORTER
Vernon Robinson, a member of the Winston-Salem City Council, rankled some residents of the South Ward last night when he told them to keep guns in their homes for protection in case of a disaster.
Robinson and Mayor Allen Joines spoke to about 50 people at a town meeting at Green Street United Methodist Church. Joines plans to visit each of the city's eight wards to update residents on what's going on in city government and listen to their concerns. This was the sixth such meeting.
During Robinson's opening remarks, he gave a synopsis of his efforts on behalf of emergency-management preparedness. Robinson has been representing the city and working with different agencies, such as the Red Cross, to make sure that the city has plans in place in the event of a national disaster or terrorist attack.
This week, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that every American family should have enough water and food to last at least three days. The Bush administration also suggested that families stock up on duct tape and heavy plastic sheeting in case it becomes necessary to seal windows and heating vents after a strike with chemical, biological or radiological weapons.
Robinson said that if it weren't for anti-gun sentiment, federal officials would have included guns in the warning. He said that residents who stocked up on food and water would need guns to fend off people who had no supplies.
His comments drew sighs and negative comments from some residents.
"What planet is this guy from?" one man said under his breath.
Robinson refused to back down.
"I invite everybody to put a sticker on their house saying, 'I'm a liberal, and I don't have a gun in my house,'" he said.
Dan Houston of West Salem said that people in his neighborhood wouldn't act so uncivilly.
"There is an alternative to having guns in your home," Houston said. "I would say to my brothers and sisters, if you need water, you can come to my house."
In other matters, residents told officials that they need help from city officials to deal with crime, trash and absentee landlords.
http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/news/MGBC1QSN5CD.html
Some residents of West Salem consider his advice unhelpful in preparing for terrorist attack
By Carey Hamilton
JOURNAL REPORTER
Vernon Robinson, a member of the Winston-Salem City Council, rankled some residents of the South Ward last night when he told them to keep guns in their homes for protection in case of a disaster.
Robinson and Mayor Allen Joines spoke to about 50 people at a town meeting at Green Street United Methodist Church. Joines plans to visit each of the city's eight wards to update residents on what's going on in city government and listen to their concerns. This was the sixth such meeting.
During Robinson's opening remarks, he gave a synopsis of his efforts on behalf of emergency-management preparedness. Robinson has been representing the city and working with different agencies, such as the Red Cross, to make sure that the city has plans in place in the event of a national disaster or terrorist attack.
This week, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that every American family should have enough water and food to last at least three days. The Bush administration also suggested that families stock up on duct tape and heavy plastic sheeting in case it becomes necessary to seal windows and heating vents after a strike with chemical, biological or radiological weapons.
Robinson said that if it weren't for anti-gun sentiment, federal officials would have included guns in the warning. He said that residents who stocked up on food and water would need guns to fend off people who had no supplies.
His comments drew sighs and negative comments from some residents.
"What planet is this guy from?" one man said under his breath.
Robinson refused to back down.
"I invite everybody to put a sticker on their house saying, 'I'm a liberal, and I don't have a gun in my house,'" he said.
Dan Houston of West Salem said that people in his neighborhood wouldn't act so uncivilly.
"There is an alternative to having guns in your home," Houston said. "I would say to my brothers and sisters, if you need water, you can come to my house."
In other matters, residents told officials that they need help from city officials to deal with crime, trash and absentee landlords.
http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/news/MGBC1QSN5CD.html
