http://www.concealcarry.org/naacp.htm
GUN STORES: PLEASE COOPERATE WITH THE NAACP BY REFUSING TO SELL GUNS TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Concealed Carry, Inc. Announces Policy Of Refusing Gun Sales To Blacks
By John Birch, President, Concealed Carry, Inc., PO BOX 4597, Oak Brook, IL 60522-4597, Tel: 630 660-3935 Fax: 815 327-1152 Email: [email protected] Web: www.concealcarry.org
INTRODUCTION: Concealed Carry, Inc. is deeply concerned with advancing social policy in terms of the public safety. We demonstrated that by encouraging those attending the Taste of Chicago in 2001 to carry unloaded guns in fanny packs. As a result, arguably the safest place to be in Chicago on July 4th, 2001 was Grant Park. Just the perception that many were armed was enough to give the police little to nothing to do. In 2002 we had a program (now discontinued) to give one hand gun a month free to a Chicago resident. Several Chicagoans are now safe. In 2003 we feel it critical to continue our efforts to save lives and to do so in a way that creates community partnerships. I will explain further.
THE PROBLEM: One of the great scourges of gun violence is the "black on black" shootings taking place in our inner cities. To address this tragedy The Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has sued gun manufacturers. The NAACP is arguing that handgun violence disproportionately harms poor, urban blacks, and that gun companies have failed to take steps to lessen the harm.
Maybe the association has a point. After all, sending in the police to confiscate guns in minority neighborhoods is both dangerous and draconian. But is using the courts to force a solution the best way to effect positive social change? Why not seek a voluntary solution to the supply of guns that is killing African-American youth?
For instance, John Riggio who owns Chuck's Guns in Riverdale, will tell you that blacks want his store closed. So much so that the Pastor of Salem Baptist Church (http://www.sbcoc.org/index2.asp), the Reverend and Senator James T. Meeks (http://www.legis.state.il.us/Senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=861) conducts marches with his congregation on his store seeking that John voluntarily cease operations. Reverend Meeks also seeks the closure of all liquor stores in Roseland (http://www.sbcoc.org/project2003.asp). His message is clear and his message is consistent: Get liquor and guns out of our community and African-Americans will live in safety.
These marchers are sincere and their communities bear the brunt of the carnage. Frankly my own observations confirm that it's more dangerous to be in a black neighborhood than in a predominantly white area. I also know that when people are left to reason for themselves they mostly know what is best. Therefore if the NAACP and the Salem Baptist Church collectively see a problem it would not be wise to dispute them. I have no idea what's it like to live in a black neighborhood, but I bet they do, and it's time I listened more and took action based on the their needs rather than my perceptions.
I have always advocated the way to reduce "black on black" gun violence was to arm the law abiding blacks by overturning Mayor Daley's gun ban and creating public awareness for the safety of the community provided by good citizens with guns. I am willing to admit now that I may have been wrong.
THE SOLUTION: Therefore, as of March 18th, 2003, Concealed Carry, Inc. will no longer make gun sales to African-Americans. Not handguns, not rifles and not even shotguns. We had one close call already with the Takita Miles case (http://www.concealcarry.org/zorn15feb1003.htm) and there is no reason to take further chances. We will defer in this matter to Senator Meeks as he not only represents a socially progressive congregation, but is also elected to the high office of state senator. Until the Reverend Meeks requests we resume sales to African-Americans, I am going to use the broad authority granted me as a federally licensed gun dealer to prevent straw purchases by denying sales to African-Americans. To insure fairness, there will be no exceptions.
I am aware there may be similar problems in other neighborhoods. Therefore if an ethnically representative organization like Dr. Juan Andrade's "United States Hispanic Leadership Institute" (http://www.ushli.com/) requests we cease gun sales to Hispanics, we will take that under serious advisement. In fact we will listen to the leadership of any ethnic community and base our sales policy on problems they can demonstrate to us with fact.
But we are but one small gun dealer. The fact is it will take a concerted a effort by all Illinois gun dealers. If gun dealers don't want to be regulated out of existence by the state of Illinois, then we better show we are committed to keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. The first step is to cooperate with the black leadership. I ask that all Illinois gun dealers immediately cease gun sales to any African-American. Just this step alone will cut straw sales to a trickle. Police arrests and gun confiscations will then take care of the existing gun supply over just a few years time. The number of guns in our African-American communities will then be negligible and gun violence will be as common as it is now in Oak Brook, IL.
If Illinois gun dealers won't cease sales to African-Americans then they probably deserve the licensing and oppressive gun regulation they are going to get. As for Concealed Carry, Inc. our mission is to save lives. Until Senator Meeks or the NAACP says otherwise we will do our part to see that no illegal guns end up in African-American neighborhoods. Let me hear from my fellow gun dealers. Will you join me in saving lives with this voluntary program? email me at: [email protected] and I will publish your store's name here to thank you.
GUN STORES: PLEASE COOPERATE WITH THE NAACP BY REFUSING TO SELL GUNS TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Concealed Carry, Inc. Announces Policy Of Refusing Gun Sales To Blacks
By John Birch, President, Concealed Carry, Inc., PO BOX 4597, Oak Brook, IL 60522-4597, Tel: 630 660-3935 Fax: 815 327-1152 Email: [email protected] Web: www.concealcarry.org
INTRODUCTION: Concealed Carry, Inc. is deeply concerned with advancing social policy in terms of the public safety. We demonstrated that by encouraging those attending the Taste of Chicago in 2001 to carry unloaded guns in fanny packs. As a result, arguably the safest place to be in Chicago on July 4th, 2001 was Grant Park. Just the perception that many were armed was enough to give the police little to nothing to do. In 2002 we had a program (now discontinued) to give one hand gun a month free to a Chicago resident. Several Chicagoans are now safe. In 2003 we feel it critical to continue our efforts to save lives and to do so in a way that creates community partnerships. I will explain further.
THE PROBLEM: One of the great scourges of gun violence is the "black on black" shootings taking place in our inner cities. To address this tragedy The Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has sued gun manufacturers. The NAACP is arguing that handgun violence disproportionately harms poor, urban blacks, and that gun companies have failed to take steps to lessen the harm.
Maybe the association has a point. After all, sending in the police to confiscate guns in minority neighborhoods is both dangerous and draconian. But is using the courts to force a solution the best way to effect positive social change? Why not seek a voluntary solution to the supply of guns that is killing African-American youth?
For instance, John Riggio who owns Chuck's Guns in Riverdale, will tell you that blacks want his store closed. So much so that the Pastor of Salem Baptist Church (http://www.sbcoc.org/index2.asp), the Reverend and Senator James T. Meeks (http://www.legis.state.il.us/Senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=861) conducts marches with his congregation on his store seeking that John voluntarily cease operations. Reverend Meeks also seeks the closure of all liquor stores in Roseland (http://www.sbcoc.org/project2003.asp). His message is clear and his message is consistent: Get liquor and guns out of our community and African-Americans will live in safety.
These marchers are sincere and their communities bear the brunt of the carnage. Frankly my own observations confirm that it's more dangerous to be in a black neighborhood than in a predominantly white area. I also know that when people are left to reason for themselves they mostly know what is best. Therefore if the NAACP and the Salem Baptist Church collectively see a problem it would not be wise to dispute them. I have no idea what's it like to live in a black neighborhood, but I bet they do, and it's time I listened more and took action based on the their needs rather than my perceptions.
I have always advocated the way to reduce "black on black" gun violence was to arm the law abiding blacks by overturning Mayor Daley's gun ban and creating public awareness for the safety of the community provided by good citizens with guns. I am willing to admit now that I may have been wrong.
THE SOLUTION: Therefore, as of March 18th, 2003, Concealed Carry, Inc. will no longer make gun sales to African-Americans. Not handguns, not rifles and not even shotguns. We had one close call already with the Takita Miles case (http://www.concealcarry.org/zorn15feb1003.htm) and there is no reason to take further chances. We will defer in this matter to Senator Meeks as he not only represents a socially progressive congregation, but is also elected to the high office of state senator. Until the Reverend Meeks requests we resume sales to African-Americans, I am going to use the broad authority granted me as a federally licensed gun dealer to prevent straw purchases by denying sales to African-Americans. To insure fairness, there will be no exceptions.
I am aware there may be similar problems in other neighborhoods. Therefore if an ethnically representative organization like Dr. Juan Andrade's "United States Hispanic Leadership Institute" (http://www.ushli.com/) requests we cease gun sales to Hispanics, we will take that under serious advisement. In fact we will listen to the leadership of any ethnic community and base our sales policy on problems they can demonstrate to us with fact.
But we are but one small gun dealer. The fact is it will take a concerted a effort by all Illinois gun dealers. If gun dealers don't want to be regulated out of existence by the state of Illinois, then we better show we are committed to keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. The first step is to cooperate with the black leadership. I ask that all Illinois gun dealers immediately cease gun sales to any African-American. Just this step alone will cut straw sales to a trickle. Police arrests and gun confiscations will then take care of the existing gun supply over just a few years time. The number of guns in our African-American communities will then be negligible and gun violence will be as common as it is now in Oak Brook, IL.
If Illinois gun dealers won't cease sales to African-Americans then they probably deserve the licensing and oppressive gun regulation they are going to get. As for Concealed Carry, Inc. our mission is to save lives. Until Senator Meeks or the NAACP says otherwise we will do our part to see that no illegal guns end up in African-American neighborhoods. Let me hear from my fellow gun dealers. Will you join me in saving lives with this voluntary program? email me at: [email protected] and I will publish your store's name here to thank you.
