Gays take up arms

MOSCOW (AP) -- Scotty Evans thinks the best way to protect gays and lesbians from hate crimes is to give them guns.

"Self-defense is a basic human right that I really believe in," said Evans, 39, a computer programmer who moved to Moscow from Canada nine years ago.

Evans and his wife, Jean, have started a local chapter of the Pink Pistols, a national group that educates gays on gun safety and encourages members to carry concealed weapons.

The national group has 32 chapters in 23 states. Evans is also president of the Palouse Practical Shooters gun club.

Homosexuality is not a membership requirement.

A Seattle group called Cease Fear formed several years ago with National Rifle Association instructors offering self-defense classes to residents of Capitol Hill, Seattle's traditionally gay district.