'It's my constitutional right': Black Americans arm themselves in response to pandemic, protests

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

When coronavirus lockdowns spread nationwide in March, millions of Americans flocked to their local grocery stores and wholesale markets to stock up for what would become months stuck at home. Black Americans did the same, but some had one addendum to their shopping list: a firearm.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been growing interest among African Americans in arming themselves, as evidenced by increased membership in Black gun owner organizations.

That interest ballooned in the wake of George Floyd’s death, which reignited debate about public safety and the role of police in Black communities. Sensationalized stereotypes about Black Americans and guns, however, are also being used by critics of the anti-racism protests to justify a security crackdown in urban areas, many with large Black communities.

The rush to purchase weapons and ammunition is not unique to one race — more Americans across the board are arming themselves this year, including those who are not legally eligible. However, new Black gun owners see firearms as a tool of both empowerment and self-defense.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/constitutional-freaking-black-americans-arm-110023058.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Wait, doesn't the Second Amendment apply only to white people?

( in case that was even necessary)

[Skittles]

5. heh

yes INDEED

[jpak]

2. Pics and videos of scary black people with AR-15s

Will surely get them banned

Doh Boogaloos

[dalton99a]

3. And the fact that they want to protect themselves is being used as evidence for the crackdown

Their demonstration and others have drawn the ire of some conservatives. Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler decried the “mob rule” in Atlanta during a June 24 interview on Fox News, as the cable network played images of Black protesters carrying semi-automatic weapons. “We’re a nation of the rule of law and this is exactly what will happen if we defund the police,” Loeffler warned.

Her rhetoric echoes that of the White House and other Republicans in Washington, who have taken an increasingly antagonistic tone towards protesters and members of the Black Lives Matter movement over the past month.

Trump has referred to the movement as a "hate group" and repeated talking points in favor of tough policing. The president and his supporters, meanwhile, defended a white St. Louis couple captured on video pointing guns at Black protesters marching by. According to Fox News, the couple told police they retrieved their firearms after spotting armed protesters.

Other members of his circle have taken to calling Black Lives Matter protesters "Marxists" who have been "planning to destroy the police for years."

[Volaris]

7. Oh but it's perfectly fine when white rascist call of duty cosplayers,

Show up to a state Capitol building with automatic rifles demanding a no mask policy
and intimidating lawmakers, is that correct, kelly?

Yeah that's what I thought. How bout go fuck yourself, senator.

[central scrutinizer]

4. Reagan was all of a sudden in favor of gun control

When pictures of armed Black Panthers entering the capitol in Sacramento unmasked his hypocrisy.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/history/article148667224.html

Outside of the police office ... one man who identified himself as Bobby Seale of Oakland read a page-long statement of the Black Panther Party. It declared: “The Black Panther party for self-defense calls upon the American people in general and the black people in particular to take careful note of the racist California Legislature which is considering legislation aimed at keeping the black people disarmed and powerless at the very same time that racist police agencies throughout the country are intensifying the terror, brutality, murder and repression of black people.”

[jmg257]

6. Wonder if theyll become one issue voters,as so many gunowners tend to be.