By: Maj Toure
Image Credit: Heather Khalifa
Since 2016, our organization, Black Guns Matter, has traveled all over the country teaching urban Americans about their right to bear arms and how to do so safely.
"All gun control is racist" has been our slogan and one of our best-selling t-shirt designs of all time.
👉 Get your All Gun Control is Racist T-shirt here!
However, during our travels, I’ve encountered many people who challenge the assertion that gun control is racist. It can be hard for some people to imagine that these types of discriminatory policies could still be in place today. Yet, beyond Black Codes, the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), the 1968 Gun Control Act, and more, even in 2025, gun control is still carrying on that legacy from its racist roots.
The data doesn’t lie, and I’ve got the facts to prove it.
Gun control laws, as they stand today, disproportionately target urban communities, particularly Black Americans. One glaring example of this is in cities like Philadelphia, where there is a significant Black population. Despite a drop in homicide rates in recent years, an attack on Second Amendment rights continues. Law-abiding citizens are being penalized by laws designed to strip away their ability to protect themselves and their families.
This isn’t speculation — it’s supported by the data. In Philadelphia, more people are buying guns to stay safe and protect themselves from crime. Yet, despite this rise in lawful gun ownership, those in power are pushing for stricter gun laws that make it harder for people to exercise their right to bear arms.
The Facts: Gun Ownership is On the Rise
Philadelphia has seen significant numbers of gun permit applications in recent years. In 2024, the city issued 20,591 license-to-carry permits. This was a slight decline from previous years, but it’s important to note that before the pandemic, the average number of permits issued annually was around 8,400. The trend of higher gun permits reflects a larger societal shift, with people from traditionally underrepresented groups like Black, Asian, Hispanic Americans, and women embracing gun ownership as a means of self-defense. This increase is especially noticeable within groups that haven’t traditionally owned guns as much.
Why Does This Matter?
More and more people are looking to take their safety into their own hands and embrace their Second Amendment rights, especially in cities like Philadelphia, where violent crime can hit close to home. However, the push for tighter gun control measures risks making it harder for law-abiding residents in these high-crime areas to protect themselves. Even as the number of people obtaining gun permits skyrockets, those in power are attempting to implement laws that disproportionately impact Black communities. These laws, in effect, disarm those who need protection the most.
Philadelphia saw a significant drop in violent crime in 2024, including a 28% decrease in homicides. Despite this progress, the narrative around gun control by Democrat politicians persists, continuing to push for laws that restrict access to firearms. What’s worse, these laws have a disproportionately negative impact on Black communities, where the need for self-defense is greater due to disparities in public safety.
Gun ownership is a right — one that should be accessible to all Americans, regardless of race or background. The push for stricter laws isn’t about making communities safer; it’s about limiting the ability of people, especially urban Americans, to defend themselves. These laws harm Black communities, and even with the data proving it, those in power in these leftist cities continue to fight against the right to own and carry firearms.
👉 Grab your Black Guns Matter T-shirt here!
This is why our work with Black Guns Matter (BGM) and the Solutionary Center located in Philly is as crucial as ever.
When I say "All Gun Control is Racist," we're not just talking about the past. We're talking about an active and persistent obliteration of Americans' rights.
Our work with BGM is about helping to equip individuals with the training, education, and tools necessary to exercise their constitutional rights. It’s a mission that goes beyond just gun ownership — it’s about empowerment, self-defense, and standing up against policies that disarm Americans.
But we can’t do it alone. We need your support to continue this critical work. If you believe in defending 2A rights and want to help us fight against unconstitutional policies that disproportionately impact Black Americans, please donate. Every dollar helps us continue providing the necessary resources to defend 2A rights for all.