All the rage in Tucson: free shotguns
Project to arm citizens begins in Arizona city where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shot two years ago
The Arizona city still reeling from a deadly 2011 rampage that wounded a congresswoman is now an uneasy symbol of gun violence in America.
TUCSON, Ariz. — A campaign promising free shotguns for people to protect themselves in this Arizona city has divided some residents in a community still reeling from a shooting rampage in 2011 that killed six people, left a congresswoman and several others wounded, and made Tucson a symbol of gun violence in America.
The Armed Citizen Project is part of a national campaign to give shotguns to single women and homeowners in the nation’s crime- ridden neighbourhoods, an effort that comes amid a national debate on gun control after mass shootings in Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut. The gun giveaway effort appears to be the first of its kind.
“If you are not willing to protect the citizens of Tucson, someone is going to do it, why not me? Why not have armed citizens protecting themselves,” said Shaun McClusky, a real estate agent who plans to start handing out shotguns by May.
Arizona gun proponents have donated about $ 12,500 to fund the gun giveaway and McClusky, a former mayoral and city council candidate, hopes to collect enough to eventually arm entire neighbourhoods.
Participants will receive training on how to properly use, handle and store their weapon, as well as trigger locks. It costs about $ 400 per participant for the weapon and training.
Tucson became a symbol of American’s gun violence in 2011 when a mentally ill man opened fire at a political meet-and-greet hosted by then- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is still recovering from being shot in the head. In recent months she has become a champion of universal background gun checks and other gun restrictions.
Moved by Giffords’ advocacy, the Tucson City Council recently approved a measure requiring universal background checks at gun shows held on city property. City officials said the gun giveaway program appears to be legal, so they have no recourse to shut it down.
Tucson police officials declined to discuss the gun program or public safety concerns, but statistics published by the department show violent crime was at a 13- year low in 2010, with 3,332 incidents. That compares with 5,116 violent crimes — including homicides, sexual assaults, and robberies — in 1997. Tucson averages about 50 homicides a year.
“Just like any other city in Arizona and in the nation we have our issues, but it is not crime- ridden,” said Vice- Mayor Regina Romero. “I would never say you have to carry a gun or you have to be afraid for your life.”