Notice that this program is a volunteer work program. They have to put in 4 six hour shifts per week for six months before they own the weapons. I don't see that as a hand out ... let's see, that's 24 hours week in addition to their normal job. Times four weeks per month times six months. You do the math.
... don't volunteer.
Compare the price of water in a free market to the subsidized price the Klamath farmers get charged. There is a significant delta between the two.
Notice that this program is a volunteer work program. They have to put in 4 six hour shifts per week for six months before they own the weapons. I don't see that as a hand out ... let's see, that's 24 hours week in addition to their normal job. Times four weeks per month times six months. You do the math.
576 hours of standing around at $0.00 an hour (what 99.99% of the folks you're talking about would actually be worth when TSHTF) equals $0.00.
If your goal is to provide a ready source of weapons and radios to steal from dead or surprised volunteers, however, it's a fantastic program.
... don't volunteer.
I don't need government permission to look after myself and my family. I don't need a government handout to do so.