Free guns are being handed out to people in the American city where a US congresswoman was shot in the head in a 2011 massacre that claimed six lives.
As local politicians in Tucson, Arizona slammed the plan, Shaun McClusky, a
former mayoral candidate who is behind the plan, said that arming over 30
local people had nothing to do with the shooting of Mrs Giffords, which
revived America's perennial gun control debate.
"I think what happened to Mrs Giffords was a horrific incident. But her
incident and citizens protecting themselves in their homes are completely
unrelated," he said.
"This is about individuals, single parents protecting their families,"
added Mr McClusky, who said he hopes to give guns to 36 individuals, who
will be trained and undergo background checks, to be ready to use them
within about 60 days.
Mrs Giffords was shot in the head at point blank range in January of 2011
while meeting constituents in Tucson, in an attack by a deranged gunman that
killed six people, including a US federal judge.
Local politicians have attacked the plan. "Arizonans in Tucson and across
the state are demanding that we reduce gun violence and create safer
communities," said Arizona lawmaker Victoria Steele, who represents
Tucson.
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