Black Women Are The Fastest Growing Demographic Group Seeking Concealed Handgun Licenses

yourblackworld.net

In the state of Texas, black women are the fastest growing demographic group seeking concealed gun licenses according to data collected from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The data shows the increase in black women licensees has more than doubled since 2000 (0.75% in 1996-2000 to 1.63% in 2007-2011).

While no one knows the exact reason(s) for the surge of black female licensees, GOP Texas state representative and National Rifle Association member Stefani Carter attributes the growth to black on black crime, in which 15% of the victims were female in 2005. In a USA Today column, Carter cites the Bureau of Justice Statistics to support her claim.

“According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 93% of the more than 8,000 black homicide victims in 2005 were murdered by someone of their own race. Of those 8,000 victims, 15% were women. Also blacks account for only 13.1% of the U.S. population but are nearly half of the homicide victims in the country.” She continued, “With numbers like these, it is imperative that we learn how to use guns to defend ourselves.”

Whatever the reason(s), black women must feel it is worth the rigorous process that Texas has implemented for applicants hoping to acquire a license. Applicants must take a 10- to 15-hour class in gun safety and gun laws, followed by a qualification test to make sure they can shoot properly. The applicant must also provide fingerprints and submissions of notarized affidavits and color passport photos.