OPPOSITION FORMS TO COALITION WANTING TO ARM THE HOMELESS
Columbus Dispatch (CD) - FRIDAY, March 31, 2004
By: Felix Hoover Dispatch Human Services Reporter
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-ringer 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 solicitations can be made. He
also said that most shopping centers and malls have their own policies
against solicitations, making violators subject to trespassing charges.
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Columbus Townhall > Forum > Politics > Local (Moderators: Peter, CTH Public Relations)
Topic: Coalition to Arm the Homeless
