Black gun owners worried by acquittal in Castile shooting [View all]

[sarisataka]

Black gun owners worried by acquittal in Castile shooting

Gerry Martin isn't sure he will ever tell a police officer during a traffic stop that he has a concealed-weapon permit — and possibly a weapon — on him.

The acquittal of a Minnesota officer in the death of a licensed gun owner who volunteered that he had a gun seconds before being fatally shot during a traffic stop adds to the worries of African-American gun owners about how they are treated by police and society.

Acknowledging that they have a weapon, they said, can open them up to violence from police, who can then claim they feared for their lives simply because of the presence of a gun, even a legal one.

"As soon as you say, 'I'm a concealed carry holder. This is my license,' they automatically are reaching for their gun thinking you're going to draw your gun on them, once again not realizing you're a good guy," said Martin, who lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

http://kstp.com/national/another-police-shooting-acquittal-worries-black-gun-owners/4516413/?cat=162

I have only talked with white carriers so far but they express the same concern, that legally carrying is now a reason for police to shoot.Everyone also has said they disagree with the verdict and cannot understand how the jury acquitted.