Bigotry in the NRA

Supporters of the NRA and gun enthusiasts have come to be known as a great support group to any individual fighting for their right to own and use firearms. People like George Zimmerman are defended for standing their ground, or potential terrorists are shielded by Wayne LaPierre because the second amendment doesn't stipulate who shouldn't have a gun. So why does the group remain mum when Alton Sterling was killed for being in possession of one?

While both protests and controversy over aggressive policing and the killing of blacks has succumbed over recent months, the death of black man by two cops in Louisiana has reignited the outrage not only in the local community but across the nation. Sterling, a man known for selling compact discs outside of the convenience store the incident took place, was brought to the police's attention by a 911 call that accused Sterling of threatening the caller with a gun. According to current information and cell-phone footage of the shooting, the two officers wrestled with Sterling in an attempt to arrest him. During the tussle, Sterling can be heard saying "what did I do?" followed by an officer saying "he has a gun." Moments later, multiple shots were fired and Sterling was pronounced dead.

Based on this information, one can easily infer that Sterling became a person of interest for having a gun, then consequentially shot and killed for the exact same reason. Shouldn't there be greater outrage over this from the NRA? Or is this further evidence that LaPierre believes only certain people should have access to guns? Or maybe that it's easy to judge whether it was a good guy or bad guy with a gun based on his race or being shot by the police?

This is not to say that NRA should be part of this conversation or politicize this incident for their own advantage. It is merely to show the hypocrisy of gun nuts that throw their full weight behind domestic abusers or other violent offenders while people of color possessing firearms are routinely shot and killed. Many know full well that gun owners should not be out in public touting their beloved possessions in support of Sterling and his family.

It's only the hope that if more can see and understand the injustice that countless people of color have to face and endure in their interactions with law enforcement. If nonviolent gun owners can be viewed as less of a threat than before, perhaps that can transcend across racial boundaries as well. It is not ideal to combating police violence, but desperate times call for desperate measures.