In this special report, Philadelphia Neighborhoods talks to gun users in the Philadelphia region. Each are sharing about the insight they gain from the experience they have while operating these weapons.
Video By Stacy Landrum and Neil Ortiz
A Philadelphia Neighborhoods Special Report: Stacy Landrum and Neil Oritz
Gun Control in Philly
By: Chelsea Lubbe
According to Pew Research in comparison to the rest of the United States, gun owners in the Philadelphia area are advocating for proper documentation, increase of education, and a stronger understanding from the outside looking in of why they are gun users.
Philadelphia is tracking its lowest recorded level of shootings since 1996. District Attorney Larry Krasner, reported to WHYY, that he has attributed this drop to proper gun legislation within Philadelphia City Council executed by representatives like Curtis Jones. Krasner says “It is because of good community-based organizations. It’s because of good neighbors. It’s because of good mentors.”
Mike, a former marine, is from Wilmington, Delaware. This area is commonly referred to as “Murder Town USA” according to Mike. As a father, he feels at peace being a responsible gun owner in this area, and hopes to become a state trooper in the future. Mike has lost people to gun violence and says, “The only way to combat stigmas and narratives is to be a person of color, that has a gun, that is doing something right.”
Those who fall in the BIPOC community are oftentimes negatively impacted by guns and gun laws in general. “People, anecdotally, have said that one of the quickest ways to get gun control is for black people to visibly carry guns.” says Timothy Welbeck, Director of the Center for Anti-Racism at Temple University.
Welbeck explains this phenomena furthermore through Black Panther Party activity during the 1960s. When the Black Panthers organized in their neighborhoods, Welbeck says, “They felt as though they had a right to not only bear arms, but to patrol their communities at night.” This led to a conflict between co-founder Bobby Seale and a police officer.
“Bobby Seale not only recounted the Second Amendment to him, but also said that California code allowed him to observe police activity, so long as he maintained a reasonable distance. A reasonable distance was estimated as I think 20 feet. And he said, ‘I’m at least 30 feet from you right now, so I’ll observe you, whether you like it or not.’” explained Welbeck
Matthew Diaz, general manager at Shooting Indoors King of Prussia, worries new gun laws will negatively impact minority communities. Diaz says, “Most of our original firearms laws in the United States were designed specifically to prohibit persons of color from owning a firearm.”
Diaz is also a certified instructor. He takes pride in diversifying the pool of individuals who are interested in learning how to handle a gun.
“We’re here for all people. We don’t focus on a particular background, a particular gender, particular political opinion. Most of our customers are going to be folks that don’t feel comfortable at another range.”
Baseline training doesn’t end at learning how to shoot, they also provide first aid, CPR, and Stop the Bleeding classes. Diaz believes that gun control should be similarly compared to driving laws, he says one is divorced from our minds and the other holds an emotional place in our hearts.
“We have to be responsible, educated, legal owners of cars and firearms because both of them are very dangerous.”
Randy Petronko of Voorhees, who used to train sailors to shoot while spending time in the navy believes, “The more you know about something, the less scary it becomes.”
Yuri Zalaman, who grew up with family in the military, explains that at his business, The Gun Range, he can expect anybody from all walks of life from school principles, couples, and even individuals who others might be initially surprised by when they find out they shoot recreationally.
“Let me tell you, Philly is a state of mind Philadelphia is an attitude. Philadelphia is a language. Philadelphia is a conduct. It’s a state of being and I love it!”
Yuri Zalzman owner of The Gun Range in Philadelphia County | Photo by Landrum
With the population growth in Philadelphia, perspectives and interests expand. For some people, gun laws are non-negotiable, in the meantime the debate continues.
Be the first to comment