In a related report by The Inquisitr, a shooting in Miami has reports claiming that "high power automatic weapons" were used to gun down several people. If true, that would be quite an event since some sources claim "the ATF says that no true assault rifle has been used to commit an actual crime. They are rare and very expensive, not something street criminals are likely to have."

According to the Joplin Globe, the AR-15 giveaway is intended to "get more people to follow Jesus" and Heath Mooneyham, lead pastor of Ignite Church, believes that arming the congregation is a good method for doing this:

"If we get people in the door, we get to preach the gospel. If we can get more people to follow Jesus, I'll give away 1,000 guns. I don't care."

The reason that Ignite is giving away free guns is biggest the 18 to 35 age group of the Millennials is the "biggest black hole in our society." In addition, they have sponsored shooting and hunting events.