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More African-Americans Support Carrying Legal Guns For Self-Defense
NPR ^ | 02 April 2015 | Martin Kaste

Posted on 04/02/2015 5:04:42 AM PDT by Theoria

When James Craig was a young man in the 1970s, he says law-abiding people wouldn't dream of carrying guns. But then he left town to pursue a career in policing. In the years he was gone, Michigan liberalized its gun laws, making it easier for people to get concealed-carry permits.

When he came back to become Detroit's police chief in 2013, he found a whole new reality.

"You would have thought, given the dynamic of people who carry weapons, that we were maybe in Texas," he says. "But in fact, we were in Detroit, Michigan!"

Police chiefs usually don't like the idea of citizens carrying concealed guns for self-defense, but Craig says he had to be realistic about the situation in his hometown.

"It was a well-known fact here in Detroit," he says. "People didn't have a lot of confidence that when they dialed 911, that the police were going to show up. In fact, we know they didn't."

So he endorsed a trend that was already well under way — the trend toward more people carrying legal guns.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 54 percent of blacks now see gun ownership as a good thing, something more likely to protect than harm. That's up from 29 percent just two years ago. In places like Detroit, more African-Americans are getting permits to carry concealed weapons.

At a practice range just outside of Detroit, Rick Ector trains new gun owners. He says the new chief's attitude is a welcome change.

"He's the only one that I can ever recall who has been fervently in support of 'good Americans,' as he terms it, carrying firearms for personal protection," he says.

(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; detroit; guns; selfdefense

1 posted on 04/02/2015 5:04:42 AM PDT by Theoria
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To: Springman; cyclotic; netmilsmom; RatsDawg; PGalt; FreedomHammer; queenkathy; madison10; ...
James Craig on guns and blacks in Detroit.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Michigan legislative action thread
2 posted on 04/02/2015 5:07:41 AM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: Theoria

I can remember reading somewhere a number of years back when Florida made it easier for law abiding citizens to get concealed handgun permits, one police chief there said if the law were passed, he would consider arming his officers with machine guns. Good to see somebody like this in Detroit (of all places) not go around repeating talking points from the Brady Center (formerly Handgun Control Inc) like a good number of these politicians who wear police officers uniforms (as what many police chiefs often can be).


3 posted on 04/02/2015 5:19:31 AM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("Keeping your stick down used to be a commandment, but not anymore" Harry Sinden, 1988)
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To: Theoria
When James Craig was a young man in the 1970s, he says law-abiding people wouldn't dream of carrying guns.

We The People won our freedom and secured it with guns. We The Sheeple lost it with childish fantasies.

Chief Craig's statement shows how long that rot has been spreading.

4 posted on 04/02/2015 5:20:58 AM PDT by DakotaGator (Weep for the lost Republic! And keep your powder dry!!)
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To: Theoria

The left usually tries to go after women first in disarming citizens, and all their other evils too now that I think about it. Kind of like SATAN.


5 posted on 04/02/2015 5:24:17 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (Is a Republican who won't call Obama a Muslim worthy of your vote?)
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To: Theoria

Great Cam & Company interview with James Craig from last summmer.

http://www.nranews.com/cam/video/one-on-one-with-detroit-police-chief-james-craig

Rick Ector is a solid pro 2nd Amendment voice as well.


6 posted on 04/02/2015 5:28:31 AM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: OttawaFreeper
... one police chief there said if the law were passed, he would consider arming his officers with machine guns.

That police chief is part of the problem - he obviously thinks he's there to control the People rather than carry out the law and thereby serve the People.

7 posted on 04/02/2015 5:57:32 AM PDT by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
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To: OttawaFreeper

Back in the 70’s I had a shipmate who’s brother was in law enforcement in Dade County. His off-duty gun was a full auto silenced Mac-11 he carried in a shoulder holster.


8 posted on 04/02/2015 6:34:42 AM PDT by Elderberry
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To: cripplecreek

From NPR? Hmmm


9 posted on 04/02/2015 7:17:20 AM PDT by CPT Clay (Follow me on Twitter @Clay N TX)
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To: Theoria

Rank and file cops support armed citizens.

“More than 91 percent of respondents support the concealed carry of firearms by civilians...

‘A full 86 percent feel that casualties would have been reduced or avoided in recent tragedies like Newtown and Aurora if a legally-armed citizen was present...”

http://www.policeone.com/Gun-Legislation-Law-Enforcement/articles/6186552-Police-Gun-Control-Survey-Are-legally-armed-citizens-the-best-solution-to-gun-violence/


10 posted on 04/02/2015 7:53:33 AM PDT by sergeantdave
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To: sergeantdave
Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
11 posted on 04/02/2015 8:07:58 AM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: BenLurkin
If I recall correctly, you're one of those who support reaching out to blacks the right way. I think this story is one the GOP would be wise to pay attention too. Amazingly enough, it comes from NPR.

Detroiters are even taking their guns to church. When Rosedale Park Baptist had trouble with drug dealers and car thefts, Pastor Haman Cross Jr. told his congregants from the pulpit that they should consider getting concealed-carry permits.

"I love the Lord; I'm a Christian," he says. "But like I told the congregation, let's send a message right in front. I want the word out in the community, if you steal any of our cars, I'm coming after you."

At another black church, Greater St. Matthew Baptist, Pastor David Bullock points out the pews that where his armed congregants usually sit.

"The chairman of my deacon board, he carries," Bullock says. "And then on the west side, there's a middle-aged woman who also carries."

12 posted on 04/02/2015 9:32:57 AM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: cripplecreek

Alan Keyes was willing to explain the Constitution to anybody who would listen — but, unfortunately, the RINOs kicked him to the curb.

As for carrying in church...I knew a guy who attended a small church in South Central 25+ years ago. One Sunday he got there a little late and as he sat down, the wooden butt of his .38 snubnose struck the wooden pew. It made a noticeable and distinctive thunking sound. A few heads turned, but no one said anything.


13 posted on 04/02/2015 11:57:17 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

Guns and gay marriage are two very key issues where republicans could make inroads into the black democrat voting block.

Immigration and school choice are also fairly high on the list of things smart republicans could use for sensible outreach.


14 posted on 04/02/2015 12:20:53 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: cripplecreek; Theoria

Thanks for the ping/posts; thread.


15 posted on 04/02/2015 6:17:53 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: DakotaGator

I believe Chief Craig’s one of the good guys...


16 posted on 04/02/2015 8:49:54 PM PDT by GOPJ (Winning is passing on YOUR values despite the growing totalitarian state...Greenfield)
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To: GOPJ

That is also my impression. Chief Craig’s stance on the armed citizen has been refreshing.

My comments were intended to disparage the national brainwashing about firearms that has been going on for so long.


17 posted on 04/03/2015 2:49:31 AM PDT by DakotaGator (Weep for the lost Republic! And keep your powder dry!!)
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To: Theoria
but Craig says he had to be realistic about the situation in his hometown.

What specifically is the situation you refer to?

18 posted on 04/03/2015 2:53:10 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
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