“In July 2020, the FBI conducted more than 3.6 million firearm background checks,” reported The Mercury News.
This news could be a distressing fact for gun reform advocates, but to many Black gun owners, this only confirms one thing...
As lockdowns and civic unrest collide, the main priority for many families is the safety of the people they love and the protection of their businesses and property.
The trend begs the question, should non-gun owners be concerned?
No! As the record high firearm background checks statistic indicates, the rise in gun sales also means a reignited interest in gun safety groups, responsible gun ownership, and shooting courses - something Douglas Jefferson, the Vice President of the National African American Gun Association, strongly advocated for in a recent PushBlack Black History Year podcast episode.
Joining organizations like NAAGA, with expressed missions to “educate and train our community on the rich legacy of gun ownership of African Americans,” can also instill a respect for the power and great responsibility that gun ownership entails.
In short, Black people have a right to feel safe in our own homes. We won't allow fear of intimidation, lack of law enforcement accountability, or harmful myths around Black gun ownership deter us from exercising these constitutional rights.