'Fox & Friends' co-host says worshippers should be armed after synagogue shooting: 'You have to go ready to defend yourself'
People are asking themselves how they can prevent another shooting like the recent one at a San Diego-area synagogue, and Brian Kilmeade of Fox & Friends thinks he has the solution. On Monday morning’s broadcast, Kilmeade called for worshippers to show up to services armed with their own weapons. “You have to have someone in there that’s armed these days,” he said. “I think you have to go ready to defend yourself.”
Co-host Ainsley Earhardt weighed in with her own disbelief that a traditionally safe space has become a battlefield, saying: “My grandparents would be rolling over in their grave. This is where we are nowadays in America. You can’t go to church without worrying now.”
Viewers on Twitter were split over whether worshippers should have to be ready to defend themselves while attending religious services.
Some supported the idea:
That’s a great idea.. but.. how sad is it that we can’t go to a house of worship without potentially being a victim of violence from a cowardly worm.. I’m armed whenever I go
— scott marshall (@scottma82593068) April 29, 2019
The sooner people realize the world in 2019 has much hate & houses of worship must be protected the sooner these tragedies will cease taking peoples guns isn't the answer armed security is protect churches & schools!
— MAGA bobby (@atlantabobby1) April 29, 2019
No. In the current climate it might be common sense to be armed when you go to a house of worship.
— Gabriel G Louw (@GabrielGLouw) April 29, 2019
Other viewers balked at the idea that adding more guns to the mix will help prevent acts of violence:
I absolutely REFUSE to think of houses of worship, schools, festivals, movies etc needing to think about ARMED security as "the new normal"!! REFUSE!! Once we say that, it means we've decide to accept it. WE CAN NOT ACCEPT EVIL!#synagogueshooting #msnbc
— Sesi (@beachydreamer) April 29, 2019
Speaking only for me, I wouldn't think of attending any type of church/mosque/synagogue that feels it must be armed in order to serve and worship the Lord.
— Sinash (@MyTakeOnThis61) April 29, 2019
I attended prayer services across the US where armed police guarded houses of worship. That's not normal.
Muslims are scared in their mosques. Jews are afraid to pray. THAT'S NOT NORMAL, in a Nation where religious minorities came to escape persecution. #SynagogueAttack— Sayed M. Modarresi (@SayedModarresi) April 29, 2019
Watch The View’s Meghan McCain snap at co-host Joy Behar:
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Geraldo Rivera says Mayor Pete Buttigieg has 'flamboyant ideas' on 'Fox & Friends'
Trump targets Joe Scarborough as 'Morning Psycho' in tweet, says show helped him get elected
Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below.
Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter.