Colorado’s first black-owned gun club, The 1770 Armory and Gun Club, is officially open. As the chaos induced by the pandemic and racial tension inflates across the country, co-founder Shaun McWilliams candidly welcomes those who have obtained a concealed carry permit to get trained by him.
What We Know:
- Considering the current political and racial state of the U.S., African-Americans have expressed their inability to feel safe now more than ever. A report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation revealed that within the first half of 2020, 10.3 million firearms were purchased in the United States. In comparison to the beginning of last year, Black men and women bought 58.2% more guns in the first six months of this year.
- In response to this surge of Americans seeking safety and protection for their families through firearms, 1770 opened its doors in order to properly educate and train those who anxiously bought guns out of fear. On the club’s website, you will find their mission statement which reads, “Our goal remains to empower and educate in a safe environment.” They offer classes such as Home Defense Fundamentals, Concealed Carry group and private courses, Intro to Basic Pistol, Gun Cleaning, and several others.
- The club is located in the neighborhood of Five Points in Denver, Colorado. What once was known as a historically black community, Five Points is now the second most gentrified city in the nation. The club owners chose this location to make sure the range was affordable and accessible to the people of Denver. Despite the changes and new advances the city is undergoing, they want to make it clear to the community that black owned business are still alive and running.
- Denver prohibits live-fire guns ranges, but this did not stop 1770 from offering its services to the public. Instead, they utilized innovative methods via infrared stimulators and computer cartridges in the shape of a bullet. These cartridges are placed into the chamber of the gun and send signals to the computer which then records the shots fired at the targets. The instructors also make sure to examine each member’s grip, trigger pressure, stance, aim, and breathing technique. This method is not only effective but also highly cost efficient, as the expenses of ammunition continue to rise.
- McWilliams, along with instructors Master Young and Anubis Heru, are all equipped with certificates, licenses, and years of experience to teach people how to shoot and help them obtain their concealed carry weapons permit. They acknowledge many Black Americans are often apprehensive to carry guns in the chance they encounter the police, yet their courses supply members with the knowledge to handle any possible altercation with an officer who may feel threatened by a Black person with a gun.
So far this year, Master Young has taught 300 people in concealed carry courses, a class required to secure a state permit. According to him, from this 300 only 5 people were non-black.
