The leader of an African-American gun club that staged an open-carry block patrol in Dallas, Texas this summer to protest police brutality told
Newsmax TV on Tuesday that he wants to see more black citizens protecting themselves by carrying firearms.
"Too many people are losing their lives and too many cases of injustice have been taking place," Charles Goodson, president of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, told "MidPoint" host Ed Berliner.
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"In my city alone, there have been over 68 unarmed individuals that have been murdered by the Dallas Police Department over the past several years," said Goodson, whose club is named for a co-founder of the militant Black Panther Party. "However, in many cases and incidents there have been no indictments and no justice has been brought forth."
Goodson acknowledged that his state, Texas, is comparatively friendly to civilian gun owners and issues permits for concealed-carry of firearms in public places.
While the club has promoted its cause on Twitter with the hashtag #BlackOpenCarry, Goodson also said that the open display of firearms is a "very small issue" for his group.
"What we are advocating is for people to take a position of self-defense," said Goodson.
He said his group emphasizes African-American gun ownership because blacks in America are too often demonized as criminals and "pushed into the corner" even when they are the unarmed victims of police shootings.
Asked if he advocated shooting at an officer in the event of an armed confrontation, Goodson said, "I'm advocating self-defense."
He said the image of African-Americans proactively carrying firearms is "very positive, because we're taking a position to defend ourselves."
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