This is a word a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. The summer is bringing

new anxieties about crime and a handful of high profile shooting has put a spotlight back

on gun violence. For years many black leaders have argued that stronger gun control is part of

the solution. But black gun owners say that's a mistake. But then control things that we have in

place that always always had in place. They don't work on criminals because criminals don't obey

the rules. Gun ownership in the black community coming up on a word with me Jason Johnson. Stay with us.

This is a word a podcast from Slate. I'm your host Jason Johnson. Gun violence kills

thousands of Americans every year and that pain is especially sharp in the nation's black

communities. For a generation a lot of black political leadership has called for more guns to be

taken off the street and been closely aligned with gun control advocates. But a growing number

of black Americans seem to be choosing a different approach. During the Trump administration,

black gun ownership rates rose and in 2020 of all demographic groups African Americans saw the

sharpest increase in gun purchases at the start of the year. For people like Ken Blanchard advocating

for black gun ownership has been a crusade for decades. After serving the military and holding a

series of jobs in law enforcement, Blanchard branded himself the quote black man with a gun

with a book a website and now a podcast with that name. He rejects the idea that gun control will

make black community safer and has made it his mission to encourage black Americans to view

gun ownership as an important element of self-defense. And Ken Blanchard joins us now. Welcome to a word.

Man, thank you for having me. You're a military veteran from a law enforcement officer and

you know guns have been a part of your work for years. What led you from law enforcement work to

being a gun rights advocate? Entrepreneurism actually. I tried to figure out what could I do

that actually would make a difference. What could I do that I could do without batting an eye?

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