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| Articles: Arm the Homeless |
Posted by
Devin on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 05:55 PM PST
Finally someone has an interesting solution to the problem of homelessness in the US. By giving them guns this charity group in Phoenix, AZ is doing more for the disadvantaged than the welfare system.
Apparently this idea has been around for quite a few years, and just keeps re-surfacing. The responses have been mixed, but I personally think it's a great idea. Most of the comments I've read in online forums have been negative but apparently enough people are supporting them with donations that they are still able to give out guns.
One man writes:
This article is insane! I am one who truly believes that it is our constitutional right to bare [sic] arms. I also believe that you should earn the right to bare those arms by hard work and diligent patriotism to the mother land, not by sucking of the nipple of America and panhandling your way through life. Life is precious and those of us who WORK hard and pay our TAXES are the Americans that have earned the right to bare arms.
Another had this to say:
Has it occurred to you fucking brainless morons that there has been a rash of killings in Phoenix that started about the same time you idiots handed out these guns to the homeless? SHITHEADS! INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE DYING BECAUSE OF YOU!
Here is a transcript of a conversation between the head of the organization and a reporter from 60 minutes (for those of you who are too lazy to go read the link above).
Klein [answering]: CBS News.
Whippit: Janet Klein?
Klein: Yes.
Whippit: Pete Whippit with Arm the Homeless in Phoenix.
K: Oh. Hi. Yeah, I was looking through some newspapers here, and I saw the New Times story. Um . . . you're just an Arizona organization?
W: That's correct. As you may have seen on our tee shirts, it said "Phoenix Chapter." We are trying to get--we have some like-minded individuals in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and possibly in Portland, where we've sent them some materials on how we organized our first giveaway, and, uh, some of the representatives from the future Los Angeles chapter of Arm the Homeless will be attending our action today outside the America West Arena. But to answer your question, yes, the only active chapter right now is in Phoenix.
K: Now, did you start this?
W: I'm the founder of Arm the Homeless, yes.
K: And what exactly inspired you to do this?
W: Well, I'm a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I wanted to make a, uh, statement to really let people know that the Second Amendment is not just for rich people in this country. You know? Also, the homeless people, they live in the most dangerous areas of America, and they need sidearms and shotguns the most. They have to be able to protect themselves, and they have no means to do it. I'm sure you've read the news accounts of skinheads and street punks setting these people on fire, and it's a travesty, and we wanted to right it, and at the same time make a strong statement in support of the U.S. Constitution.
K: How do you decide who gets them, who you give them to?
W: Well, this was not in the New Times article, and it should have been. We do not simply give guns to every homeless person who shows up. There's a screening process. I mean, none of us are psychiatrists, but if you talk to homeless people on the street, which I have, you can see which ones are more or less sane and which ones are completely off their rocker. It's not that hard. And we did not give guns to people who were apparently crazy. Does that answer your question?
K: Uhhh. Well, yeah. But, so, just by talking to them you would decide--
W: We would just talk to them and, you know, we would explain to them once how to load the gun, and if they were not able to do it the first time, we gave them one more chance, and if they failed to properly load their weapon three times, then we refused them and told them to come back at the next giveaway.
K: Uh-huh. And, do you have any requirements like age, or anything like that?
W: Well, we certainly didn't give any guns to children. But we did give preference to mothers with children.
K: Did you teach them how to use it?
W: The children?
K: No, the mothers.
W: Yeah, absolutely. We taught every gun recipient how to load, clean, dismantle, reassemble, and fire their weapon of choice.
K: And how long do you take teaching them?
W: Uh, it depends on the weapon. I mean, a weapon like the Mac-10 or the Tec-9, that's at least an hour's worth of instruction. Whereas a gun like the .22 Derringer, obviously that only takes a few minutes . . .
K: How many did you give away?
W: How many guns?
K: Uh-huh.
W: Almost 80.
K: To 80 people?
W: Correct. Only one gun per recipient.
K: Okay. And so you're giving some away tonight before a game?
W: Yeah, right before the Suns versus Lakers basketball game, outside the America West Arena.
K: How many guns will you take there to give away?
W: It's not going to be as extensive tonight, simply because it's, uh, a more public space. This is more of a demonstration, more of a, uh, symbolic action. We're only going to give away about 25 firearms tonight.
K: When will the next giveaway be?
W: There's a gun show here this weekend called Crossroads of the West, and it's the largest gun show in America, and we plan to make a mass purchase there. But, we're not assured we'll be able to obtain enough quality firearms there for a full giveaway. We may have to wait for another gun show to come around . . .
K: Okay. I may be interested in--let me ask you this first: Is there a tax deduction for donating the guns?
W: We have applied for--that was erroneously reported in the article. We have not received tax-exempt status. But we hope to, although for obvious reasons the government may, uh, try to shut us down in that respect. But that will not stop us, I assure you of that!
K: Mmm-hmm.
W: So far we have not received any donated firearms except from actual members of ATH, although since the New Times article we have received quite a few calls from people offering to donate used guns.
K: Oh, really? From the Arizona area?
W: Yeah. Ma'am, people here have a lot of guns. I mean, there are a lot of guns in Arizona. . . . But the thing is, with each individual gun, we have to check it out. We have to make sure that it works, we have to test fire it, clean it, all that. It's a time-consuming process . . .
K: Okay. Um--if I would be interested in doing a story, would you be willing to work with me?
W: Absolutely.
K: And only me?
W: Sure.
K: I mean just me, right? Okay?
W: No other TV media, is what you're saying?
K: Right, uh-huh.
W: What about local stations, because I suspect some of them may show up at our action today, wanting to do interviews.
K: Well, the thing is that, uh, I mean, obviously if they show up today there's nothing you can do about that, but, uh, some of the news magazines like Dateline for instance, will use their local reporters to get a story.
W: What, what about if I don't speak to them, but what about if Honey Hawk, our minister of information, speaks to them, but you will have the only interview with Pete Whippit, founder of Arm the Homeless?
K: Okay. Well, if she speaks with them, I guess what I'm asking is to keep it minimal. No in-depth stuff.
W: Okay . . .
K: And Pete, you're 33?
W: That's correct.
K: And you're a Marine Recon combat veteran?
W: That's correct.
K: What does that mean, exactly?
W: Just what it says. . . . There's been a lot of doubts cast on whether I was actually in the military, and--
K: No, no. I just don't know what it means. I'm just trying to figure out what it means, "Marine Recon." You know. I mean, I've done stories on the Marines and so forth before, but--
W: A lot of what I did for the Marines is classified. I can't discuss it at length. But basically it involved reconnaissance in hostile territory.
K: Okay. Are you from Arizona?
W: No. I'm from Alaska originally. Um, I spent some time here in my youth, and once I came out of Africa, my girlfriend moved here, and I followed her.
K: Honey Hawk, what's his--
W: That's a she. Honey's our minister of information.
K: And what does she--why do you call her "minister of information"?
W: Well, basically she handles our PR.
K: Uh-huh. I'm just curious why "minister of information." It sounds like a country.
W: Hmmm. Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe we should change that.
K: No, no. I'm just curious. I'm not telling you to change it. Now, how did she get involved in this?
W: Well, I met her at a gun show. That's how I handled all my recruiting. Basically, I put up a booth with a sign that said "Don't you think homeless people need weapons too?" and people stopped to talk to me, and a substantial number agreed with my philosophy, and that's how I got Honey and most of the other founding members.
K: How many members are there?
W: Right now we have 27 active members in ATH Phoenix.
K: And what do active members do?
W: Well, they help us acquire firearms. . . . They also handle test firing of donated weapons. If someone wants to donate a weapon, they'll go to their house and . . . accept the weapon and issue a certificate of donation. . . . They were also on-site at the giveaway to conduct training courses.
K: Now, the local government hasn't given you a hard time about this?
W: No. Not so far. . . . We carefully researched it, and what we're doing is perfectly legal under Arizona gun laws. It's just one private individual giving a gun to another. So there's no problem there.
K: Is the NRA supportive of you?
W: We have not requested nor received an official statement from the NRA.
K: I'm just curious if you're affiliated with any other kinds of organizations.
W: Not directly. . . . I can say this much: We have received $10,000 in contributions from, uh, Second Amendment rights supporters; now some of them may or may not be officials in other Second Amendment groups. I really can't go into that.
K: Okay, um, all right, now . . . you probably won't hear from me again until Monday. Now, 602-440-1136, is the best way to get ahold of you?
W: Yes it is.
K: You answer that fairly frequently?
W: We monitor that line 24-7.
K: Okay, Pete, now you have my number?
W: Yes I do. Now, what exactly do you do for CBS News?
K: I'm a producer for 60 Minutes II. A segment producer. Okay?
W: Yeah.
K: Okay, Pete. Thank you very much.
W: Thank you, Janet.
K: Bye-bye.
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| Arm the Homeless | Login/Create an account | 19 Comments |
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This was tried in Ohio years ago...
by Devin (devin-at-vibechild-dot-com)
on Apr 01, 2003 - 06:07 PM
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OPPOSITION FORMS TO COALITION WANTING TO ARM THE HOMELESS
Columbus Dispatch (CD) - FRIDAY, December 3, 1993
By: Felix Hoover Dispatch Human Services Reporter
TEXT:
A group that wants to put guns in the hands of homeless people is way off
target, the city says.
The local organization, calling itself the Arm the Homeless Coalition,
can't solicit money in local malls without a permit, officials said.
Agencies representing homeless people in the Columbus area also oppose
the stated purposes for fund raising by the group.
A statement from the arms advocates says, ''The Arm the Homeless
Coalition will be collecting donations to provide firearms for the homeless
of Columbus. Santas will be at area malls collecting money for this vital
and charitable cause.''
Donations are to be sought beginning at noon Saturday at Columbus City
Center and Sunday at Graceland Shopping Center, the statement says.
When informed of the group's intentions, the city Charitable
Solicitations Board sent a letter to Jack Kilmer, director of the arms
advocacy group, at the group's post office box. The letter says failure to
register with the board to conduct charitable solicitation ''could result
in legal action.''
''Please cease and desist any fund-raising activity immediately,'' the
letter says.
A release from the arms advocates says, ''Funds are to be used to
provide arms, ammunition and firearm safety training for homeless
individuals who pass the coalition's rigorous screening. Homeless are
selected for the program on the basis of need, mental and emotional
stability, and potential value to society at large.''
''We're surely not going to hand out firearms on the streets,'' Kilmer
said yesterday.
His organization, which is ''a group of concerned citizens of like
mind,'' has a small staff, he said.
There are homeless organizations that deal with shelter, food and jobs,
but none that train homeless people to use firearms, Kilmer said.
''We feel it is a basic life skill and confidence-builder,'' he said.
Kilmer would not identify the group's size or headquarters and would not
give background information on himself, saying, ''We would like to take
precautions as far as the maximum safety for all members of our
organization.
''We have had some hostile reaction in the past,'' Kilmer said, but he
would not say what issues generated the hostility.
The statement included a photograph of a bell-ringing Santa Claus next
to a sign that says, ''100 percent of contributions will be used to provide
desperately needed protection for our country's homeless.''
''Contributions . . . are not currently tax-deductible.''
''We're very serious about this project,'' Kilmer said. ''We're looking
for support from every quarter. At this point, we're not at liberty to talk
about our means of support.
''We anticipate strong reactions from the public.''
The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, composed of agencies serving
homeless people, ''recognizes the vulnerability of persons living 'on the
streets,' '' it said in a statement issued yesterday.
''We greatly appreciate and respect the generosity of central Ohioans in
helping us address these real vulnerability issues - shelter, food, health
care, etc.
''We ask that persons concerned about the plight of their homeless
neighbors make sure their contributions go to legitimate and responsible
service providers.''
City Attorney Ron O'Brien said permits issued by the state attorney
general's office often are required before solicitat
Read the rest of this comment...
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Re: Arm the Homeless
by Erishkigal on Apr 01, 2003 - 06:21 PM
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Being a British citizen myself, I'm not too familiar with the problem of homelessness in America and how extensive it is. But from what I could gather, the guns were be handed out to protect the homeless from 'skinheads and street punks'? So, they're basically giving them the option to shoot back if attacked... well, I suppose its more active method of protecting the homeless, and I'm all for self-defence, but to me it seems a bit too extreme.
I've probably made some mistakes reading this article, and no doubt my age will be hideously apparent in my comments, but it doesnt sound like an effective long-term strategy to me. Sure, people are now more likely to be scared of the homeless rather than attack them.
But every person gets mad. Every person gets drunk. Sometimes we all wanna put a bullet through someone's head (or erm, is that just me...) and a homeless person is likely to be pretty damn bitter, and yes, in some cases drunk. That might be a stereotype but I spent a couple of months working with homeless people for a school project (yep, now DEFINITELY showing my age) and out of all my friends, relatives and general aquaintances, they would probably be who I would least trust with a gun.
Of course, I'm guaranteed to sound narrow-minded here. But equipping everyone with weapons doesnt sound that likely to solve problems, just create more inter-gang fighting, if in this situation between the homeless and the street punks, etc. All I can say is, I'm damn glad that idea hasnt been suggested in my town.... I can think of many a homeless person I'd be scared shitless to go near.
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and the Bums Bursting in Air.
by Dolorosa (SixOfSwords@IU.zzn.com)
on Apr 01, 2003 - 06:54 PM
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Oh hell yeah...this is awesome! Of course there will be problems, mad problems...but what a totally bitchin' idea!! The streets are going to get a fuck of a lot more interesting, 'specially since a nice junk of homeless people were vets, and now how to use a gun right.
I love it when something interesting happens...
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Indiana Jones and the Desert of the Urbanized Hicks
by IamSquid (undisclosed)
on Apr 02, 2003 - 03:04 AM
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Oh Devin, yor supreme holiness,
I haven't laughed that hard in years! I was just in Pheonix about 2 months ago visiting a friend. His roommates friends came onto our bus (which was parked by a billboard for a gun expo) one night (we didn't know who they were, they were just with our friend) and saw a pair of my chucks. They said, "Shit man, yoo must be really into weapons!"
I told them my hatred of firearms.
To this one of them replied, "oh maybe yoo'd like mee to remove my piece then." He pulled back his coat to reveal a holstered glock. (I might mention that he was holding a bottle of SoCo in the other hand)
I asked him if I could see his weapon and affirmitivly unholstered it. No sooner did he do so than the magazine fell directly onto the floor spilling bullets everywhere. He tried to pick them all up but he had trouble as his fingers, impared by alcohol, had great difficulty in picking the little buggers up.
I immediatly thought of the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where there's a guy flipping around a sword at Indiana Jones and he just shakes his head, pulls out a gun, shoots the guy, and turns around like he's bored EXCEPT this time Indian Jones pulls out a glock and the clip falls out!
The other liked to carry around a .357. Both of these guys appeared to be about 16 (I found out later that they were 21 and 19), for this reason I referred to them as the "Trenchcoat Mafia."
Living in Minnesota for the last 10 years (except for most of this year of course), I am not accustomed to kids who are not criminals walking around with concealed firearms so I asked them if they had permits to carry. They informed mee that in the state of AZ, it is unneccessary to have a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
I gathered from their behavior that it was quite common and indeed casual to carry a concealed firearm, even to work and to the bank! The older and more sane one had very sound, well-thught out reasoning for his carrying a weapon, really belived that carrying a gun is not for the irresponsible, and spoke strongly about how he hated the NRA because it opposed forensic baliistic registration and other restrictions on firearms. I might have listened to him more closely however, if he wasn't drunker than poet on payday while he was driving his giant turbo diesel pickup with a 9mm on him!
Other highlights in Pheonix were the constant circling of ghetto-birds in the sky and being told that the Pheonix PD has the highest rate of police attack (meaning police being attacked) in the country!
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Happy April Fools
by Devin (devin-at-vibechild-dot-com)
on Apr 02, 2003 - 11:40 AM
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Happy April Fools day everybody. Every good website needs an occasional prank. Sorry I was too lazy to invent an original hoax, but I wanted one that I could reference other sites anyway (easy credability). I wanted a hoax that had been around a while and continued to fool people, but not so high profile that everyone would remember it. The finalists came down to "Arm the Homeless" and "Bonsai Kittens" - http://bonsaikitten.com
The kittens are hillarious, but seemed a little obvious for this group, and I wanted at least one person to get it. I also thought this one reminded me a bit of Swift's "Modest Proposal", which of course is Goth as Fuck.
The Arm the Homeless hoax started in 1993 in Ohio (not as an april fools hoax - more as a social protest / satire), and came up again in 1999 in phoenix. Quite a few mainstream media sources fell for each one (including the 60 minutes interview posted here), so don't feel bad if you did too.
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Homer is a God of simple expression.
by Dolorosa (SixOfSwords@IU.zzn.com)
on Apr 15, 2003 - 12:53 PM
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oh man, I was sold...bought and paid for.
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