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| ‘I Am the “Good Guy With a Gun”’: Black Gun Owners Reject Stereotypes, Demand Respect | |
| (7 days later) | |
| Kyle Doheny and Michael Anderson are licensed gun owners who live in different states but have a few things in common. Both are black men who have worked in public safety or national defense. And both say that when they carry their guns, some people don’t respect their Second Amendment rights. | Kyle Doheny and Michael Anderson are licensed gun owners who live in different states but have a few things in common. Both are black men who have worked in public safety or national defense. And both say that when they carry their guns, some people don’t respect their Second Amendment rights. |
| The two were among the more than 100 people who responded when we asked black gun owners to tell us about their interactions with law enforcement, other authorities and the general public. | The two were among the more than 100 people who responded when we asked black gun owners to tell us about their interactions with law enforcement, other authorities and the general public. |
| Since July, at least three black men in the United States have been shot by police in separate incidents while trying, according to witnesses, to stop an active shooting. | Since July, at least three black men in the United States have been shot by police in separate incidents while trying, according to witnesses, to stop an active shooting. |
| A quarter of black men and women in a 2017 Pew survey said they own guns. | A quarter of black men and women in a 2017 Pew survey said they own guns. |
| Some of those who wrote us said they have had no issues with authorities or the general public. Others said they have faced fearful store owners and had confrontations with law enforcement over guns they carried legally; and explained why, despite the stereotyping and sometimes outright hostility they face, they still carry a gun. | Some of those who wrote us said they have had no issues with authorities or the general public. Others said they have faced fearful store owners and had confrontations with law enforcement over guns they carried legally; and explained why, despite the stereotyping and sometimes outright hostility they face, they still carry a gun. |
| Here is a selection of their stories. They have been condensed and lightly edited. | Here is a selection of their stories. They have been condensed and lightly edited. |
| As a retired airman, I feel as if I am not entitled to the same rights I defended. | As a retired airman, I feel as if I am not entitled to the same rights I defended. |
| I am scared of being shot by police, or even notifying an officer that I have a weapon. | I am scared of being shot by police, or even notifying an officer that I have a weapon. |
| I carry myself as a professional. I also smile and act more friendly to reduce stereotypes. I also let people know I was in the military — but with today’s shooters having military backgrounds, it’s an even bigger red flag. | I carry myself as a professional. I also smile and act more friendly to reduce stereotypes. I also let people know I was in the military — but with today’s shooters having military backgrounds, it’s an even bigger red flag. |
| I carry to protect myself and my loved ones. I am not going to run into a gunfight. I will think twice before reacting. But if I am there and someone is threatened, I will do what it takes for their protection. | I carry to protect myself and my loved ones. I am not going to run into a gunfight. I will think twice before reacting. But if I am there and someone is threatened, I will do what it takes for their protection. |
| — Michael Anderson, 35, Las Vegas. Gun owner for three years. | — Michael Anderson, 35, Las Vegas. Gun owner for three years. |
| I am a gun owner and, as a law enforcement officer, carry one for work. | I am a gun owner and, as a law enforcement officer, carry one for work. |
| I am fully aware that me carrying a gun legally is an anomaly, especially in the state I live in. I have noticed people doing a double take. | I am fully aware that me carrying a gun legally is an anomaly, especially in the state I live in. I have noticed people doing a double take. |
| When I walk in a gun store there is a certain level of extra scrutiny, as it is with most minorities, black or brown. I dare not have my weapon be seen by accident. I am sure it will cause a stir. | When I walk in a gun store there is a certain level of extra scrutiny, as it is with most minorities, black or brown. I dare not have my weapon be seen by accident. I am sure it will cause a stir. |
| — Kyle Doheny, 36, California. Gun owner for 11 years. | — Kyle Doheny, 36, California. Gun owner for 11 years. |
| I’ve had two good experiences thus far in Texas. Both times I let the officer know I had a gun. The first separated the magazine and locked it in the open position. The other didn’t do that, but did advise me to get my concealed carry [permit]. | I’ve had two good experiences thus far in Texas. Both times I let the officer know I had a gun. The first separated the magazine and locked it in the open position. The other didn’t do that, but did advise me to get my concealed carry [permit]. |
| I haven’t received any hostile reactions, but I make sure to tell them immediately and try to moderate my voice because. I keep my hands on the steering wheel, and try not to make any sudden movements. You never know what sort of officer you’ll get when you’re pulled over. | I haven’t received any hostile reactions, but I make sure to tell them immediately and try to moderate my voice because. I keep my hands on the steering wheel, and try not to make any sudden movements. You never know what sort of officer you’ll get when you’re pulled over. |
| — Tracey Carrera, 31, Denton, Tex. Gun owner for two years. | — Tracey Carrera, 31, Denton, Tex. Gun owner for two years. |
| My only negative experience was with a local sheriff about four years ago. It was an encounter at a traffic checkpoint. | My only negative experience was with a local sheriff about four years ago. It was an encounter at a traffic checkpoint. |
| When I notified the officer that I was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, he immediately waved off the other cars, pulled me over and then proceeded to twist my left arm forcefully to disarm me while I was sitting in the car. | When I notified the officer that I was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, he immediately waved off the other cars, pulled me over and then proceeded to twist my left arm forcefully to disarm me while I was sitting in the car. |
| I honestly thought he was going to shoot me with my own weapon trying to get it out of my holster. | I honestly thought he was going to shoot me with my own weapon trying to get it out of my holster. |
| He retreated to his vehicle and ran my registration and weapon. When all came back clean, he issued me a traffic warning and asked why I had ammunition. I refused to answer, and he warned me that had I resisted, I would have had a bad day. | He retreated to his vehicle and ran my registration and weapon. When all came back clean, he issued me a traffic warning and asked why I had ammunition. I refused to answer, and he warned me that had I resisted, I would have had a bad day. |
| I now fear the police more than the bad guy. | I now fear the police more than the bad guy. |
| — S.L. Jordan, 49, Tampa, Fla. Gun owner for 28 years. | — S.L. Jordan, 49, Tampa, Fla. Gun owner for 28 years. |
| I moved to Pocatello, Idaho, (a place where guns are very popular) from St. Louis, Mo., about eight years ago. | I moved to Pocatello, Idaho, (a place where guns are very popular) from St. Louis, Mo., about eight years ago. |
| I decided to purchase a firearm so that my 2-year-old son can learn to treat firearms with respect and know that they aren’t a toy. | I decided to purchase a firearm so that my 2-year-old son can learn to treat firearms with respect and know that they aren’t a toy. |
| The older white gentleman behind the counter folded his arms when I approached and asked about purchasing a rifle. He asked what I was using it for. I told him target practice and as a learning tool to teach my son to respect firearms. | The older white gentleman behind the counter folded his arms when I approached and asked about purchasing a rifle. He asked what I was using it for. I told him target practice and as a learning tool to teach my son to respect firearms. |
| It kind of caught him by surprise and he visibly relaxed a bit. He explained that sometimes they get folks who are angry at their spouses, and he was required to make sure I wasn’t. | It kind of caught him by surprise and he visibly relaxed a bit. He explained that sometimes they get folks who are angry at their spouses, and he was required to make sure I wasn’t. |
| I am a black male in my 30s, I love wearing hoodies and am slightly overweight. There are still occasionally people who think “thug” when they see me, of course. | I am a black male in my 30s, I love wearing hoodies and am slightly overweight. There are still occasionally people who think “thug” when they see me, of course. |
| But since purchasing the gun, I’ve experienced a sense of camaraderie with a lot of conservatives who are deep in gun culture. | But since purchasing the gun, I’ve experienced a sense of camaraderie with a lot of conservatives who are deep in gun culture. |
| — Andrew Casey, 32, Pocatello, Idaho. Gun owner for two years. | — Andrew Casey, 32, Pocatello, Idaho. Gun owner for two years. |
| At times, I’ve felt out of place when I’m one of the few people of color at shooting events or gun shows, but I’ve also been heartened to see other Americans of African descent and people of color there. | At times, I’ve felt out of place when I’m one of the few people of color at shooting events or gun shows, but I’ve also been heartened to see other Americans of African descent and people of color there. |
| People have been welcoming and willing to share information. But sometimes I get questions. | People have been welcoming and willing to share information. But sometimes I get questions. |
| “Why do you need a gun?” “You’re ready to vote for Trump now, aren’t you?” | “Why do you need a gun?” “You’re ready to vote for Trump now, aren’t you?” |
| The Second Amendment is for everyone. I am the “good guy with a gun.” I’m just like you. | The Second Amendment is for everyone. I am the “good guy with a gun.” I’m just like you. |
| — L. Kenton Dunn, 40, Charlotte, N.C. Gun owner for two years. | — L. Kenton Dunn, 40, Charlotte, N.C. Gun owner for two years. |
| I am black and transgender. Being black (or any minority) and a gun owner can be described thus: On one hand, you’re told that you’re oppressed and that the country does not look after your interests. On the other, it’s said that if you decide to defend yourself, it will backfire. | I am black and transgender. Being black (or any minority) and a gun owner can be described thus: On one hand, you’re told that you’re oppressed and that the country does not look after your interests. On the other, it’s said that if you decide to defend yourself, it will backfire. |
| I tend to not discuss guns with fellow liberals anymore. They have shown they lack the capacity to discuss the issue with integrity, maturity and nuance. | I tend to not discuss guns with fellow liberals anymore. They have shown they lack the capacity to discuss the issue with integrity, maturity and nuance. |
| — Naomi Daniels, 33, Houston. Gun owner for two years. | — Naomi Daniels, 33, Houston. Gun owner for two years. |
| Despite being a lawyer, I am routinely mistaken for a criminal. | Despite being a lawyer, I am routinely mistaken for a criminal. |
| Police officers who I have revealed my gun to have displayed great trepidation despite my handing them my concealed-carry permit along with my driver’s license. | Police officers who I have revealed my gun to have displayed great trepidation despite my handing them my concealed-carry permit along with my driver’s license. |
| Law-abiding black people are just as motivated to defend themselves, their families and their homes as any other racial group. The right to bear arms has played a vital role in the lives of blacks for generations, and it will continue to do so. | Law-abiding black people are just as motivated to defend themselves, their families and their homes as any other racial group. The right to bear arms has played a vital role in the lives of blacks for generations, and it will continue to do so. |
| — Damon D. Colbert, 42, Alexandria, Va. Gun owner for 18 years. | — Damon D. Colbert, 42, Alexandria, Va. Gun owner for 18 years. |
| A man broke into our house when I was a child, and my father, a sheriff’s deputy, chased him out with his firearm. My father then sat outside in his car all night to protect us. | A man broke into our house when I was a child, and my father, a sheriff’s deputy, chased him out with his firearm. My father then sat outside in his car all night to protect us. |
| Later, the police were looking for a black man who did not resemble my father in any way. The officer saw my father sitting in his car by our house and figured he had his man. | Later, the police were looking for a black man who did not resemble my father in any way. The officer saw my father sitting in his car by our house and figured he had his man. |
| My father ended up with a concealed weapons charge. and he could no longer get a job in his field. | My father ended up with a concealed weapons charge. and he could no longer get a job in his field. |
| Despite this, my father instilled the importance of the Second Amendment. It may cause issues for black men, but at least we have the right to protect ourselves from America. | Despite this, my father instilled the importance of the Second Amendment. It may cause issues for black men, but at least we have the right to protect ourselves from America. |
| — Darian Jabari Flowers, 28, Fresno, Calif. Gun owner for 10 years. | — Darian Jabari Flowers, 28, Fresno, Calif. Gun owner for 10 years. |
| My mother owned a gun and so did my father and brothers. In 1973, my father was murdered and, in a remarkably similar fashion, one of my brothers was killed in the early ‘90s. Several years ago, in the wake of a highly publicized mass shooting, I gave up my gun. However, a few months ago, I had cause to be concerned about my personal safety. | My mother owned a gun and so did my father and brothers. In 1973, my father was murdered and, in a remarkably similar fashion, one of my brothers was killed in the early ‘90s. Several years ago, in the wake of a highly publicized mass shooting, I gave up my gun. However, a few months ago, I had cause to be concerned about my personal safety. |
| It was a difficult choice to buy a gun. I polled my closest friends and family, who knew what I was going through. Some agreed with my choice, some did not. | It was a difficult choice to buy a gun. I polled my closest friends and family, who knew what I was going through. Some agreed with my choice, some did not. |
| As an African-American woman, not a day goes by that I don’t think about how possessing a firearm could endanger my life. Should I be involved in an incident during which I draw or fire my gun, I know that I will immediately become the suspect. | As an African-American woman, not a day goes by that I don’t think about how possessing a firearm could endanger my life. Should I be involved in an incident during which I draw or fire my gun, I know that I will immediately become the suspect. |
| I am absolutely mindful of that, and it was a part of my decision-making process. Even if you do everything right, you could be signing your own death warrant. | I am absolutely mindful of that, and it was a part of my decision-making process. Even if you do everything right, you could be signing your own death warrant. |
| — Goldie Taylor, 50, Atlanta. Gun owner for two months. | — Goldie Taylor, 50, Atlanta. Gun owner for two months. |
| Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified Damon D. Colbert’s area of legal practice. He is now a criminal trial lawyer and is no longer a corporate lawyer. | Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified Damon D. Colbert’s area of legal practice. He is now a criminal trial lawyer and is no longer a corporate lawyer. |
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