5 comments
I think this is a good example of where I'd break with Libertarians. If there is any grouping that can be deemed too unreliable for gun ownership it would be one that can't satisfy even the lowest tier on their Hierarchy of Needs. When it comes to creating barriers to entry, having the capability to drop $400 on a chunk of metal that doesn't actually do anything 99% of the time is a pretty good one. Not to mention the homeless people I know have a devil of a time keeping anything of even moderate value.
20 shotguns
You could get 10x as many real nice machetes or similar blades for that cost.
"Not only are the homeless constantly under threat from would-be criminals," says Brian Ellison, "but they are also under threat from governments at various levels that criminalize activities that homeless people rely on for survival."
True enough. Cities are making it illegal to give them food, panhandle, or sleep outside. One city even almost fined a church $12,000 for not kicking homeless off the property at night.
But he says there is a serious intent to the campaign, which is to bring attention to the high rates of violent crime against homeless people, as well as the dehumanization of the homeless.
Have to applaud that, at least.
Not to mention the homeless people I know have a devil of a time keeping anything of even moderate value.
Yeah, I would expect the shotguns to arrive at a pawnshop 5 minutes after being given to a homeless person.
And while I would applaud the effort to bring attention to to violence that the homeless face, is there anywhere that it's not already common knowledge?
Knowing, and caring are very different issues.
I bet it would help reduce the number of homeless people.
A few less bystanders and cops as well, I'd guess.
Clearly he and I share the same taste in films.