Many people own various mitzvah items that they do not use. It could be a Kiddush cup, tallit, and notably, tefillin.
I know that ideally, someone should convince (force?) them to perform the mitzvah and use these items. But, let's say it becomes obvious that the person can't be convinced after numerous attempts.
Let's say there is a person who you know would perform the mitzvah but can't afford to obtain the mitzvah item. Halachically, can someone coerce the owner to donate his item? By "coerce" I don't mean threaten but strongly pressure that person until he is willing to donate it?
Answer
There is a concept in Halacha called כופים על מידת סדום - one can force somebody not to behave like they did in Sedom.
This means if you have nothing to gain or lose from letting me do something, then we can force you to approve.
But I cannot force you to give me your possesions, since you are losing out - you now own less.
Even if I know for a fact that you never use an item, never have and never will, and you hide it in a bottom drawer so as to never see it, I cannot force you to hand it over.
Even forcing you to sell it to me is called חמס - and besides for giving over money is considered stealing in halacha.
(See Rashi in Kidushin 13a: גזל. דלא יהיב דמי: חמסן. דיהיב דמי אבל לא נתרצו בעלים מעולם למכור)
In this case, it's worse: If I request this uninterested party to donate his unused Tefilin then I am making 100% sure he will never don them again. Even if he one day decides to do so he no longer has them handy.
I see no halachic justification for that - you're creating a stumbling block; ensuring he'll never wear Tefilin again.
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