In March, the Covid-19 pandemic began to shake up the American infrastructure. I saw people's primal instincts start to kick in, things like hoarding, the absence of compassion or empathy, and erratic behavior had become too familiar in American society. Almost instantly, people would kill you for a roll of toilet paper. As the host of a Morning Show, I talk to thousands of Americans every day, particularly Black Americans.
One of my most essential and frequently advocated topics was, and still is, the importance of arming yourself and educating everyone in your household on firearm safety, including your children.
According to The Brookings Institution, In March, there were 700,000 more firearms bought than usual. The data also shows that the number increased again by 50% in June. Around the time the protests over police brutality began to take over the nation. Since March, gun sales have increased by nearly 3 million firearms in the US.
Jim Curcuruto, The NSSF Director of Research and Market Development, says, "During the first half of 2020, retailers noted that the overall makeup of their customers consisted of 55.8 percent white males, 16.6 percent white females, 9.3 percent Black males, 5.4 percent Black females, 6.9 percent Hispanic males, 2.2 percent Hispanic females, 3.1 percent Asian males and 0.7 percent Asian females. The highest overall firearm sales increase comes from Black men and women who show a 58.2 percent increase in purchases during the first six months of 2020 versus the same period last year."
In other words, nearly 60 percent more Black Americans bought firearms this year compared to last year, the most significant surge ever.
As we continue to witness the births of new black gun clubs and militias in America, such as the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, The NFAC Militia, and Sleep Is For The Rich, to name a few. I suspect that we will continue to see black gun ownership on the rise. The US is struggling with police and racial violence against Black Americans. In contrast to the norm, Black Americans have responded by arming themselves and organizing in record numbers.