In the months since President Trump was elected, gun sales have been on a decline. But a Northeast Ohio gun dealer says a new group of people are keeping his sales alive. "Most of them have noticed a huge amount of African-American folks interested... I have seen that go up in recent months by about 3 or 4 times" said Urban Sports Unlimited co-owner Kevin Jones.
Jones is also the state representative for the National African-American Gun Association (NAAGA). Jones believes the sales are being driven by racial fears.
"Mainly because of the change in rhetoric, the change in rhetoric that comes from the top down,” said Jones.
And Jones says he saw it play out first hand when he became the target of a racially charged road-rage altercation outside his Parma shop.
"Literally hanging out of his car screaming the n-word… He pulled in behind me, blocked my truck in… At that point I figured I would need my sidearm, and drew my sidearm" Jones said as he described the event.
He says the situation ended when the man drove off. "I had not dealt with that situation in many years, probably 20," said Jones.
But Jones says his customers are expressing similar concerns, leading them to exercise their second amendment right.
"I had another gentleman that called me who had not carried in many many years and said 'I think it is about time,'" said Jones.
