The Violence Policy Center (VPC) on Monday released a 39-page report about the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the gun industry as a whole. The gun control group takes issue with the NSSF and NRA “targeting” blacks and Latinos as first-time gun owners…
“Mr. Sugarmann’s theories that the firearm industry and others are seeking out Blacks and Latinos to replace present firearm owners is demonstrably racist. It is shocking to me that he believes Black and Latino men and women cannot decide for themselves how and when to exercise their God-given rights. The Second Amendment is a right of all law-abiding Americans at birth, endowed by their Creator and protected by the Second Amendment. It’s not a white right, a Black right or a Latino right,” NSSF’s Director of Public Affairs, Mark Oliva, told Townhall. “It’s not a right of red states or blue states. It’s [a] God-given right of every American and it is appalling that Mr. Sugarmann believes an entire industry should ignore the personal safety concerns of Black and Latino Americans because he doesn’t believe they should be exercise their rights.”
“The Second Amendment belongs to everyone, regardless of race, creed, or gender. The NRA is here for all gun owners and we want all Americans to know they are welcome in our ranks. This ‘study’ – if one call call it that – is inane,” the NRA’s spokeswoman, Amy Hunter, told Townhall…
It is obvious that Sugarmann and whoever else wrote this report has never been to SHOT Show or talked to those who are involved in the firearms community. The gun community is one of the most welcoming communities around. Everyone works together to make sure new gun owners get the resources and training they need. And safety is always the number one priority. Not only has Black Guns Matter received support from people all across the industry, but so have the Pink Pistols, a group for LGBTQ folks who want to protect themselves.
That doesn’t fit their narrative though. And that’s why they did their best to manipulate data, saying blacks and Latinos are more likely to suffer from homicide by a firearm. The problem, however, is the data they cite doesn’t conclude that. Whites are higher on the list than Latinos.
– Beth Baumann in Gun Control Group Has a Racist Take on Black and Brown Gun Owners