Free shotguns in 15 cities across the U.S.

Calling it “empowerment,” a group calling themselves the Armed Citizens Project announced at the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention that they will give out free shotguns in 15 cities, including Chicago.

Call it controversial, but the founder of the group, Kyle Coplen says he believes guns are the best deterrent to stopping a criminal. He has already given away four guns at the convention, and wants to arm people in neighborhoods where the crime rates are medium or high in volume.

Coplen says his group is not only arming citizens, but teaching them how to use their firearms so that they can defend their “life, liberty and property.” He’s shooting for 25 percent of the families in one Houston neighborhood. Then he plans to put signs up letting would-be criminals know what to expect.

Coplen told reporters his group wants to test their theory in Chicago, even though the city has very restrictive gun ordinances. His lawyers are checking first to address any legal problems that may come up before Coplen’s theory is put to the test.

To participate,the Armed Citizen Project will require that a citizen pass a background check as well as attend a short training program.