Growing up, Louisville native, Marvin Young’s parents never owned a gun, and for most of his life neither did he. However, that all changed four months ago when he had a change of heart and decided to join the growing list of American gun owners.”Self-defense,” Young said. “That should be a primary goal for everyone, because you just never know when situations are going to arise or occur.”He said he feels safer with it on his hip, which is why it shocked him weeks ago when he realized it wasn’t working properly.”I’ve been to the range probably fewer than eight or 10 times, and never cleaned it,” Young said. “It can always jam up, but if you don’t clean it that increases the odds of it getting jammed up.”For gun owners it’s a simple mistake, that won’t happen again. However, his story is what many gun experts fear may be the case for so many others. “What we’ve come to learn over last year, especially with all the civil unrest, is that African Americans bought more guns than any other demographic in this country,” said Aaron McMurry, with the National African American Gun Association’s Louisville Chapter.According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, since the pandemic began, gun ownership in the Black community has risen nearly 60%.”Now that they have this gun they’re asking themselves, what do we do with this gun now,” McMurry said.So, McMurry decided to host a gun safety session for the very first time Saturday, to answer those questions and provide some help.”Historically, gun ownership is not something that is typically taught to our youth,” McMurry said. “Most households, if you had a gun, you were told there’s where the gun is— don’t touch it.”McMurry said his goal is to teach as many people in the Black community how to safely own their guns. Something he believes will also help slow down the ongoing violence in the city.”Everybody has seen what’s going on in the city, right? We feel like, by training our community members how to be responsible gun owners, we prevent the amount of guns getting in the community illegally,” McMurry said.McMurry said whether you believe there are too many guns on the streets or not, the fact is they’re out there. It’s why, he said, classes and sessions like his are invaluable, because it’s making sure those who have firearms are responsible with them.”You don’t just go and buy a gun and that’s it, you’re good to go,” Young said. “But I think, unfortunately, that’s a lot of what’s going on nationwide. If you are going to be a responsible gun owner, you really should learn the rules.”McMurry plans to hold another event in the coming weeks.
Growing up, Louisville native, Marvin Young’s parents never owned a gun, and for most of his life neither did he. However, that all changed four months ago when he had a change of heart and decided to join the growing list of American gun owners.
“Self-defense,” Young said. “That should be a primary goal for everyone, because you just never know when situations are going to arise or occur.”
He said he feels safer with it on his hip, which is why it shocked him weeks ago when he realized it wasn’t working properly.
“I’ve been to the range probably fewer than eight or 10 times, and never cleaned it,” Young said. “It can always jam up, but if you don’t clean it that increases the odds of it getting jammed up.”
For gun owners it’s a simple mistake, that won’t happen again. However, his story is what many gun experts fear may be the case for so many others.
“What we’ve come to learn over last year, especially with all the civil unrest, is that African Americans bought more guns than any other demographic in this country,” said Aaron McMurry, with the National African American Gun Association’s Louisville Chapter.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, since the pandemic began, gun ownership in the Black community has risen nearly 60%.
“Now that they have this gun they’re asking themselves, what do we do with this gun now,” McMurry said.
So, McMurry decided to host a gun safety session for the very first time Saturday, to answer those questions and provide some help.
“Historically, gun ownership is not something that is typically taught to our youth,” McMurry said. “Most households, if you had a gun, you were told there’s where the gun is— don’t touch it.”
McMurry said his goal is to teach as many people in the Black community how to safely own their guns. Something he believes will also help slow down the ongoing violence in the city.
“Everybody has seen what’s going on in the city, right? We feel like, by training our community members how to be responsible gun owners, we prevent the amount of guns getting in the community illegally,” McMurry said.
McMurry said whether you believe there are too many guns on the streets or not, the fact is they’re out there. It’s why, he said, classes and sessions like his are invaluable, because it’s making sure those who have firearms are responsible with them.
“You don’t just go and buy a gun and that’s it, you’re good to go,” Young said. “But I think, unfortunately, that’s a lot of what’s going on nationwide. If you are going to be a responsible gun owner, you really should learn the rules.”
McMurry plans to hold another event in the coming weeks.
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