A Michigan candidate for US Senate has proposed arming homeless people with pump-action shotguns in an effort to reduce crime.
Brian Ellison, who is running against Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow, says homeless people are “constantly victims of violent crime” and providing them with firearms would provide a deterrent.
Ellison, a Libertarian who is expected to be the party’s candidate in the November midterm election, said he had settled on pump-action shotguns for practicality purposes.
“Frankly I think the ideal weapon would be a pistol,” he told the Guardian, “but due to the licensing requirements in the state we’re going to have a hard enough time getting homeless people shotguns as it is.
“Getting them pistols is probably next to impossible. The pistols need to be registered, people have to have addresses.”
Carrying a concealed pistol is illegal without a permit, Ellison said, “whereas open-carrying a long gun is completely legal”.
Matthew points out:
That particular candidate is part of the Libertarian Socialist Caucus of the Libertarian Party. (Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you they exist) Apparently they're causing quite the stir in the party, which I'm all for. This shotgun plan sounds like it's coming from a good place, but it will most likely lead to homeless people getting harassed and shot by cops even more.
Ron in Reno sends this:
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