The Maryland EXILE program which aims to control gun use has launched a billboard campaign that features the names of actual convicted criminals. One board reads, “Solothal ‘Itchy Man’ Thomas got life in prison for carrying a gun. Wonder what his new nickname is?” and refers to Solothal Thomas who was convicted of shooting a man 15 times and is currently serving a life sentence. Want ad fame? Just go commit a crime. Oh wait, that’s not what Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein says the message should be. According to him, “The purpose of the billboards is deterrence.
