Brian Ellison, a Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, doesn't think much of this week's high school walkout campaign to protest gun violence.
He does, however, back a plan to get more guns into the hands of homeless people.
In an interview with NPR's MichiganRadio.org, Ellison said that arming homeless people is a commonsense measure to help them protect themselves against criminals who are intent on abusing them.
"Not only are the homeless constantly under threat from would-be criminals but they are also under threat from governments at various levels that criminalize activities that homeless people rely on for survival," he explained.
When asked by MichiganRadio about the potential for homeless people to shoot at police officers, Ellison dismissed the idea by noting that he personally has never shot a cop despite being a longtime gun owner.
"I don't know why the homeless are viewed as such a different type of people as the rest of us," he said. "I carry a gun with me all the time, and I don't victimize anyone. I wouldn't expect that the homeless would use their weapons to fight off the police who are asking them to leave."
When asked about this week's walkouts of high school students who are demanding stricter gun laws, Ellison sounded unimpressed with their efforts.
"I'd say those kids have been watching too much mainstream media, because I don't think they understand the reality of the situation," he said.
