WhiteBoard News for January 28, 1994

This item comes from John Tholen:

New York, New York:

A pro-gun activist has put a spin on the goods-for-guns
programs -- offering felons more than 200 rounds of
free ammunition and firearms training in exchange for
their sneakers.

"The chosen footwear of our criminal subculture are
sneakers, which facilitate quick getaways after
predatory acts," Gerald Preiser, president of the
Federation of New York State Rifle and Pistol Clubs,
said in a news release.

Felons need only hand over their sneakers and show
court papers with a felony arrest or conviction and
Preiser said he will provide $100 worth of live
ammunition for use in supervised firing and safety
training at a range.

Police officials said putting a pistol in the hands of
a convicted felon is illegal and one called it "sheer
madness."  But Preiser, whose business charges a fee
for helping people get Police Department gun permits,
insisted there was nothing illegal about his program.

Preiser acknowledged his offer is meant to demonstrate
that he calls the failure of the goods-for-guns
programs, which have brought in thousands of weapons in
exchange for everything from sneakers and toys to
mattresses and gasoline.

He argued that most of the guns are "scrap metal," not
high-tech weapons turned in by drug dealers.

But he insisted he will make good on his offer with
bullets and training to all felons who call his
hotline.

Preiser said he was making his "guns-for-sneakers"
offer in the hope felons "will be persuaded legitimate
recreational shooting is more rewarding than the
beating and robbing of innocent victims."

Preiser also said teaching felons to shoot better would
have "socially redeeming" qualities because more often
than not, they shoot each other.

"I have no pain nor regret when drug dealers shoot drug
dealers or felons shoot felons," he said.  "I do have a
regret when they hit an innocent bystander, so if this
straightens out their marksmanship and they can raise
the body count of felon to felon, I think that's
probably a plus."