San Bernardino supervisor asks whether workers should be armed in wake of attacks

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- In the wake of the deadly terror attack, a county supervisor in San Bernardino is raising the question whether county employees should be armed.

After the terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center on Dec. 2, San Bernardino County supervisor Robert Lovinggood said he thinks the time is right to have this conversation among county employees, first responders and the public.

"It makes sense, and when I say that I look back and talk about air marshals. Prior to 9/11, we didn't have those. Since then, TSA has them," he said. "We don't know who's on that plane but we know this - when they're there and they need to react, they're going to save lives."

Opinions among San Bernardino County residents were split.

"I feel that just because the other people came in with guns, it doesn't mean county employees shouldn't counteract and do the same thing because, to me, violence doesn't solve anything," said Nicole Duena of Colton.

Lovinggood said he hopes to get the conversation started about county employees being armed and wants the first conversation to be with the county sheriff.