Guns 4 Felons
Guns 4 Felons is a controversial non-profit organization that provides firearms to ex-convicts in Los Santos. Despite fierce criticism, the group insists arming felons reduces recidivism and promotes rehabilitation.
History
Guns 4 Felons was founded in 2013 by Jordan, a Blaine County libertarian activist. Jordan believed released felons struggle to reintegrate into society partially due to being denied legal firearm ownership.
After a protracted legal fight, Guns 4 Felons won non-profit status in 2015. The group began actively soliciting donations of money and guns. Jordan secured deals with several gun shops to purchase firearms at wholesale prices for distribution.
Operations
Guns 4 Felons collects donated pistols, shotguns and rifles at their East Los Santos warehouse. Applicants for guns undergo background checks, but the requirements are far more lenient than legal purchases.
During recurring distribution events, ex-convicts receive their guns tagged with GPS trackers, along with mandatory safety training. Recipients must check in monthly with Guns 4 Felons or risk confiscation. However many ex-convicts have found ways to disable the GPS trackers and some have gone missing from the program.
Controversy
Critics argue Guns 4 Felons' activities directly endanger Los Santos residents by arming dangerous individuals. Police unions have challenged their non-profit status to no avail. Jordan insists providing guns deters reoffending by allowing recipients to protect themselves in high-crime areas. But data shows participants actually reoffend at higher rates, often using program guns in new crimes.
In fact guns donated by Guns 4 Felons have been implicated in numerous crimes and deadly incidents across Los Santos:
- In 2022, program recipient Darius used his acquired pistol in a gang shootout in Davis that injured 4 and killed a 15-year-old bystander.
- During a 2021 armed robbery of a Liquar Ace store, the perpetrator used a shotgun provided just months prior by Guns 4 Felons.
- In 2023, Curtis broke parole when he sold his donated semi-automatic rifle to an underground arms dealer. The weapon later turned up at a fatal drive-by shooting.
These instances further galvanize opposition to the charity. LSPD estimates nearly 20% of guns they confiscate from crime scenes were originally distributed through the program.
Though reviled by many, Guns 4 Felons retains a vocal base of supporters, especially among Libertarian groups. The program continues growing, with aims to expand operations statewide.
Guns 4 Felons stands by their mission, arguing the illegal actions of a few recipients should not condemn those using firearms responsibly. But critics believe the charity recklessly ignores the realities of providing guns to high-risk individuals.