Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
With gun sales surging in the African American community, some leaders are taking to the streets to educate community members about proper gun safety and etiquette. Retail studies show that 15,000 African Americans have become new gun owners in 2020 so far. In this politically charged environment, leaders in Columbia feel as though the rise speaks for itself.
“I feel that it is necessary to be prepared for anything that is going on. Different civil unrest, whether you think something is going to happen as far as this political agenda that is going on. Just for basic home safety and the protection of your family," said Lance Adams, who is a former marine with WAR-TAC Defense and Tactical Solutions.
He believes that more African Americans should own guns and take to the range for adequate practice. He also says minorities should have a stronger voice when it comes to legislation.
“There are people out there that are scared. There are people out there that are afraid, and I do tell people that when you do have a fear of something prepare yourself," Adams added.
Maj Toure - who founded 'Black Guns Matter' made a stop in Columbia as part of his nationwide ‘black guns matter’ tour to teach African Americans how important it is that they exercise their second amendment rights safely.
"When you see so much negligence that turns into death, areas where young people are getting access to firearms...those things can be solved with someone knowing about proper firearm safety," Toure explained. “As an American, you have a human right to defend yourself and so we just make sure at our classes we’re clarifying and making sure everyone understands what their human rights are, and that includes interactions with law enforcement.”
Another important topic they stress is de-escalating conflict.
“Just because you have the rights and the tool to defend your life doesn’t mean that it’s your first resort. Firearms are actually your last resort to defend life," Toure went on to say. “When you look at the fact that areas that have more safe and responsible gun ownership they traditionally have lower violent crime. These are all great motivating factors to make sure that our communities; all communities are extremely safe.”
To help ensure those safety measures, Toure encourages community members to get involved with organizations that uphold second amendment rights and have an open dialogue with people of other races to break down barriers and stereotypes.