Stereotypes are, at best, a general description of points of commonality among various groups. They can be harmful or neutral. They're almost never completely accurate.

Take gun owners, for example. The stereotype is that we're all a bunch of old, white dudes, most of whom are from the sticks. As an old white dude from a rural state, I'm not exactly the best example for shattering that stereotype.

But Craig DeLuz is. He's a black gun owner from Sacramento, California. 

Here's the thing, though. Craig isn't the only example of black gun ownership in this country, as he noted recently in the Sacramento Observer.

In recent years, a notable shift has occurred within the firearms industry: the growing involvement of Blacks, particularly women, who are entering the realm of gun ownership and the firearms business. This transformation challenges long-held stereotypes and invites a critical conversation about gun rights, self-defense, and empowerment in the context of a community historically marginalized in these discussions.

Brandon Broussard 27, of Roseville is the founder of CaliArms.org, a California-based firearms forum where one can legally purchase, sell, trade and discuss firearms with other gun enthusiasts. He believes that the essence of the new trend is self-defense. “It’s the ability to protect yourself, your property, and your family,” he says.

As he works to expand his network within the industry, he sees the transformation in perceptions, noting that many still cling to outdated ideas of gun owners being primarily older white men. Broussard encourages Blacks interested in firearms to engage with the community.

“You’ll be surprised how welcoming people are,” he says.

The growing movement within the Black community to embrace gun ownership speaks to a broader understanding of personal safety and rights, emphasizing that self-defense transcends cultural boundaries.

“I realized knowing where I came from, how many people didn’t know about guns and didn’t realize that guns are more useful than just crime,” says Gerren Taylor, owner of Zink Arms in Baltimore. Taylor is a former EMT and military contractor who now passionately advocates for firearms education.

At events like the annual Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show (aka SHOT Show), Taylor has observed a growing diversity in the community. “There’s more cultures here than nearly anybody would ever expect,” he says. He emphasizes the importance of firearms education, particularly in marginalized communities, noting that “miseducation and undereducation is the number one reason for any kind of death in the community.”

The truth is that black gun ownership is growing and growing rapidly, which makes a great deal of sense. Statistically, black men are more likely to be the victim of a murder than pretty much any other demographic. Many black Americans live in poorer neighborhoods on average than their white or Asian peers, which lends itself toward higher crime, thus upping the chances of them being concerned about being victimized.

Plus, while some parties overhype the amount of white supremacy in this country, there are racist jackwagons almost everywhere. Many of them would love to visit violence on someone simply because of their skin color.

These are real concerns that would potentially warrant many in the black community getting guns.

More than that, though, many folks really are starting to recognize that the right to keep and bear arms isn't the problem in many of our communities. They recognize that owning a gun is a right protected by the Constitution and it's one that insures we keep the rest of our rights, no matter what some parties might like to believe.

The stereotype of the old white dude with guns might not disappear tomorrow, but it's validity is becoming more and more strained as millions of Americans become gun owners for the very first time.

And I'm here for it.