DETROIT (CBS Detroit)

Detroit Police Chief James Craig says that the city is safer with more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens.  That includes terrorist attacks, in addition to the more common car jackers, home invasions, and armed robbers.

While cities around the world are on heightened alert following a devastating ISIS attack in Paris, Detroit’s police chief says he believes the fear that armed citizens would return fire serves as a deterrent for a potential terrorist attack in the rust belt city.

Craig called more officers to duty and moved some to locations deemed higher priorities following the attacks in Paris.

The chief noted, though, that many Detroiters also have concealed carry licenses, and a gun carrying citizen is effective against a terrorist, just as that citizen is effective against the usual criminal.

Note that there were a rash of incidents in the area lately where an armed citizen took down thieves — or attempted to. A woman shot at the tires of an attempted Home Depot shoplifter, and was later charged with reckless use of a firearm. A man opened fire on an attempted bank robber in Warren, striking him three times.

Beyond that, there have been numerous incidents of homeowners shooting at would-be robbers.

“If you’re a terrorist, or a carjacker, you want unarmed citizens,” Craig said.

There are more than 30,000 legally-armed citizens in the city of Detroit.  That’s more than 4% of the population.   That number wouldn’t include long-gun owners, which do not require a license.  Typical citizen reaction:

“I think everyone should have a gun because guns don’t kill people, crazy people with guns kill people,” a man named Sam said.

I’m with Chief Craig and “Sam”.