How Clinton Responds When Asked if Americans Who Want More Guns After California Attack Are 'Wrong

Hillary Clinton rejected the notion that arming more civilians would make America safer after the San Bernardino terror attack, suggesting that the opposite is in fact true.

The Democratic frontrunner made the claim when asked at Saturday's Democratic debate if Americans are "wrong" to want to place more guns in the hands of individuals to harden soft targets.

"In the wake of the San Bernardino attack, you all emphasized gun control. But our latest poll shows that more Americans believe arming people, not stricter gun laws, is the best defense against terrorism. Are they wrong?" the moderator asked.

Clinton started her answer by explaining how she would combat the Islamic State overseas, prompting the moderator to request she stay on topic.

"Can we stick to gun control? Are they wrong?" she asked Clinton.

"Guns in and of themselves, in my opinion, will not make Americans safer. We lose 33,000 people a year already to gun violence. Arming more people, to do what, is not the appropriate response to terrorism," Clinton replied.

Clinton said she thought creating "much deeper, closer relations" and "coalitions" within the U.S. would be the best way to stop terrorism domestically. Clinton said it was vital to create inroads within the Muslim community and that rhetoric from Republican frontrunner Donald Trump hindered that effort.

This story has been updated.

—

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @oliverdarcy