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A man who ambushed and shot a police officer in his patrol car in West Philadelphia admitted that he had “pledged allegiance” to ISIS. In his confession, he claimed that he had attacked Officer Jesse Hartnett “in the name of Islam.” Yet despite the clear indications that this was a terrorist attack, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in an early press conference that the real culprit was a lack of gun control.
“There are just too many guns on the streets,” Kenney announced, “and I think our national government needs to do something about that.” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross clarified that the gun had been stolen from a police officer—not legally purchased. It is reprehensible that a major elected official would try to use terrorism to stump for gun control. One bit of good news: Officer Hartnett, who returned fire and wounded his attacker, is expected to make a full recovery.
