Adams Demands Answers from DHS on Active Shooter Guidelines

Statement

Representative Sandy Adams (FL-24) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano seeking clarification on the department's policy pertaining to the "IS-907- Active Shooter: What You Can Do" training course, and a pocket card regarding how to respond in an active shooter situation distributed to employees six weeks ago. After losing a border patrol agent as a result of Operation Fast and Furious, Adams is concerned these guidelines could put more agents in harm's way.

"I am disturbed by what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is instructing our U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents to do in the "IS-907- Active Shooter: What You Can Do' training course, and on these pocket cards. DHS has been handing out pocket cards which offer official guidance for how to respond in an active shooter situation. Reports indicate that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are included in the category of employees who are required to follow the guidance on the pocket card to take action, specifically only "As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger; Attempt to incapacitate the shooter; Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter.' If this is true, then we have trained law enforcement officers sworn to protect our borders and our citizens who are being instructed to 'throw items' and hide under a desk during a hostile encounter.

"If accurate, that means this administration allowed hundreds of firearms to walk into the hands of criminals as a result of Operation Fast and Furious, but is now denying highly trained American law enforcement officers the right to defend themselves and protect innocent civilians. This DHS policy could put more American lives at risk, and I look forward to getting answers from Secretary Napolitano."

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