Program would provide free shotguns

TUCSON, Ariz. – A former mayoral candidate in Tucson, Ariz., is launching a privately funded program to provide residents of crime-prone areas with free shotguns so they can defend themselves against criminals.

Shaun McClusky said the program modeled after one recently launched in Houston would provide training and enough money to buy a basic shotgun to residents who pass background checks, the Arizona Daily Star reported Wednesday.

Donors have committed about $12,000 to the program that McClusky said could start handing out guns within 60 days, the newspaper said.

McClusky said citizens need to do more to protect themselves because city government is failing to do the job.

“We need to take back our city, and it needs to come back to the citizens and not the criminals,” he said.

Several City Council members said the effort is out of touch with community needs and values.

“To suggest that giving away loaded shotguns in high-crime areas will make anybody safer is pure idiocy,” Councilman Steve Kozachik said.

Kozachik has previously supported gun buyback programs and proposed a city ordinance to require gun owners to promptly report lost or missing guns.

Councilwoman Regina Romero said the Midvale neighborhood, one of the areas identified by McClusky, is a safe place where residents “don’t need a gun to survive.”

McClusky estimated it would cost about $375 to arm each person. The figure would include about $200 for each single-shot shotgun along with a box of ammunition, training and background checks.