Amid gun control debate, American minorities discuss uptick in firearm purchases: ‘People are waking up’

Firearm purchases by minority groups in America have soared over the past few years and the debate surrounding gun control following a deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, late last month has seemingly renewed their support for the Second Amendment.

Retailer surveys released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSFF) found that between 2019 and 2020 there was a 58% increase in African Americans buying firearms, a 49% increase in Hispanic Americans buying firearms, and a 43% increase in Asian Americans buying firearms.

In January, NSFF stated the numbers among first-time firearm buyers in minority groups remained largely “unchanged” and that 18% of retailers witnessed an increase in Native-Americans purchasing firearms in 2021, while 14% of retailers saw an increase in Native-Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders purchasing firearms in 2021.

Speaking to Fox News Digital outside the 2022 National Rifle Association convention in Houston, Santee and Kel, both members of the NRA who reside in Houston and only wanted to share their first names, said they attended the event to see the “new firearms and to show support for the NRA and for the whole 2A community.”

Asked about the uptick in gun sales among certain minority groups in America and why they believe that is, Shantee insisted she will do what is necessary to protect herself and her family.

“For me, when I look at it, we’re now understanding — African Americans, minorities — are now understanding that basically it’s on you to take care of yourself, protect yourself,” she said. “We’re not new to crime, so we want to make sure that we’re protected. I think a lot more minorities are taking their own protection in their own hands, which is great, because the police cannot be there within seconds.”

Noting the average time it takes for police to respond to certain emergencies, Shantee asked, “In between that time, what are you doing? What do we want to do? Are we gonna wait or fight back? I think a lot more minorities are realizing, look, let’s do this and let’s do this the legal way, and I think that’s why you see this.”

Kel said he believes minority groups in America are “becoming more aware of situations” and, like Shantee, said you cannot always wait for authorities to arrive if you are threatened.

“You’ve got to protect yourself,” he said. “Make sure you protect your home, not every time you can wait for the cops to come to your house. You might be the victim … but if you protect yourself, you live another day. That’s how we see it.”

Discussing recent gun control proposals offered by certain members in Congress and pointing to protesters gathered outside the convention, Shantee said, “For us, that doesn’t help. A firearm isn’t gonna pull the trigger itself.”

Shantee said she is unsure of why people are attacking the NRA or firearms and insisted that neither Republicans nor Democrats are to blame for shooting tragedies.

 

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