The Rise of Black Gun Ownership: A Conversation with Maj Toure

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in gun ownership among Black Americans. This trend has been driven by various factors, including concerns about personal safety, a desire for self-reliance, and a growing awareness of Second Amendment rights. To gain insight into this phenomenon, we spoke with Maj Toure, founder of Black Guns Matter, an organization dedicated to educating urban communities about their Second Amendment rights.

The Origins of Black Guns Matter

Maj Toure founded Black Guns Matter in response to what he perceived as a lack of education and misinformation about gun rights in Black communities. He explains:

"We saw that this highly organized phenomenon of gun control was primarily concentrated in Black neighborhoods. Not because Black people have a genetic predisposition to kill people, but because crime is proximity-based. We realized that people were being lied to, and nowhere in the Second Amendment or the Constitution does it say anything about race."

Toure's mission became clear: to inform and educate people about their rights and responsibilities as gun owners. He started by organizing free classes in urban areas across the country, teaching firearm safety, conflict resolution, and constitutional rights.

The Growth of Black Gun Ownership

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, there was a 58.2% increase in gun purchases among Black Americans in 2020 compared to 2019. Toure is not surprised by this trend:

"What we said was we're going to make this demographic be the new largest gun-buying demographic in America, and that's what happened. It's just a little bit of elbow grease and a couple of dollars."

Toure attributes this growth to several factors:

1. Increased education and awareness
2. A desire for self-reliance and personal safety
3. Recognition of Second Amendment rights
4. Changing perceptions about gun ownership in Black communities

Challenging Gun Control Narratives

One of the core missions of Black Guns Matter is to challenge prevailing narratives about gun control, especially those that disproportionately affect Black communities. Toure argues that gun control has racist roots:

"All gun control is racist. It was literally started to stop Black people from having the means to defend themselves. The colonies in the 1600s had rules against Blacks owning guns specifically."

He points out that even today, gun control laws often have a disparate impact on Black and brown communities:

"Look at the outcome. Let's take the state of California. If you live in Oakland, Compton, or Los Angeles County, the chances of you getting a license to carry are very little. But if you live in Brentwood, Orange County, or Beverly Hills, the issue rate for that license to carry goes up. Which areas are more predominantly Black and brown people, and which areas are predominantly white folks?"

The Importance of Firearms Education

A key component of Black Guns Matter's work is providing comprehensive firearms education. Toure emphasizes the importance of safety, responsibility, and conflict resolution in their training programs:

"In our classes, we go over grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, general nomenclature, and the basics. Even before we get to that, we deal with safety, the basic four rules of firearm safety, how we can avoid conflict, and how we can de-escalate situations."

Toure believes that this education is crucial for creating responsible gun owners and reducing accidents and misuse.

Addressing Common Concerns

Many people express concerns about increased gun ownership leading to more violence or accidents. Toure addresses these concerns head-on:

"The areas where there are fewer guns, there's more violent crime. The areas where there are more guns, there's less violent crime. What are you saying? There are fewer guns in Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago? There's less education around firearms, there's far less respect for the Second Amendment and education that comes along with it."

Regarding accidents, Toure emphasizes personal responsibility:

"There's no such thing as an accident when it comes to firearms ownership. There are four fundamental basic rules of firearm safety. Even if you don't want to purchase a gun, you should be aware and you should be teaching your children about firearm safety."

The Libertarian Perspective

Toure identifies as a Libertarian and believes that many Americans share Libertarian values, even if they don't realize it:

"I think that most Americans, when you explain it to them, if you ask most Americans, 'Hey, do you think that the needy should get some assistance here and there, maybe even from the private sector or voluntarily?' Most Americans will be like, 'Yeah.'"

He argues that Libertarian principles align with the desire for personal freedom and responsibility that many Americans value:

"If you ask most Americans and say, 'Hey, do you want more limited government? Do you want to keep more of your money? Should the general theme be don't hurt people, don't take their stuff?' You're going to be hard-pressed to get most Americans to say, 'Nah, give me more government.'"

The Role of Media and Education

Toure is critical of mainstream media and traditional education systems, arguing that they often fail to provide a complete picture of issues related to gun rights and personal liberty:

"The media generally absolutely don't trust the media or colleges. I'm absolutely a high school dropout. The greatest men and women, when you think about it, there's a difference between well-read, well-studied, and like well so-called educated."

He encourages people to seek out diverse sources of information and think critically about the narratives they encounter:

"I read everything - Left, Right, Communist Manifesto, Rules for Radicals, autobiography of Malcolm X, Nutricide, everything by Walter E. Williams, Thomas Sowell, whatever. I'm going to read everything and I'm going to make the decision for myself. I'm actually an independent freethinker."

Conclusion

The rise of Black gun ownership represents a significant shift in American gun culture and challenges many preconceived notions about race, rights, and personal safety. Organizations like Black Guns Matter are at the forefront of this change, providing education and advocacy for responsible gun ownership in urban communities.

As the conversation around gun rights continues to evolve, it's clear that voices like Maj Toure's will play an important role in shaping the debate. By emphasizing education, safety, and personal responsibility, Black Guns Matter is working to ensure that all Americans can exercise their Second Amendment rights safely and responsibly.

Whether one agrees with Toure's perspectives or not, his work highlights the complex intersections of race, rights, and personal safety in America. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, it's crucial to consider diverse viewpoints and engage in open, honest dialogue about the role of firearms in our society.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXx0JV9MHE4