The Second Amendment, a constitutional right enshrined in the US Bill of Rights, has always been subject to interpretation and application. However, for Black and Brown Americans, this amendment has never been a guarantee of equal protection under the law. Instead, it has long been filtered through policing, surveillance, and state force, making its promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" an unattainable goal.
The legacy of white supremacy in America's founding is deeply intertwined with the Second Amendment. From the colonial South, where militias and slave patrols were created to control Black people and suppress rebellion, to the 19th-century laws that explicitly barred Black people from keeping or carrying firearms, this racial hierarchy has been embedded directly into gun policy.
The myth of universal gun rights, which is often touted by white gun-owning Americans, is a far cry from reality. For decades, police and policymakers have selectively enforced gun laws, using discriminatory permitting systems and higher rates of gun prosecutions to disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.
This selective enforcement mechanism has produced what sociologist Jennifer Carlson calls "gun populism," where police and policymakers distinguish between "good guys with guns" – typically white and middle-class individuals – and "bad guys with guns," who are disproportionately coded as Black, Brown, and poor. The results of this system are stark: bodies.
Recent high-profile cases illustrate the devastating consequences of this double standard. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and licensed gun owner, was killed by federal immigration agents during an interaction in Minneapolis. In contrast, armed white men who kill protesters, occupy federal buildings, or aim rifles at police are often treated as political actors, not existential threats.
The Second Amendment has never been a guarantee for Black and Brown Americans. Instead, it has always been a conditional right that is subject to the discretion of those who enforce the law. Pretti's killing serves as a bitter reminder that, in the eyes of the state, some people will never be allowed to be the good guy with a gun.
The real enforcement mechanism of the Second Amendment is not the Supreme Court or Congress but the thin blue line on the ground – police and policymakers who decide whose rights count and whose do not. It's time to confront this reality and recognize that the Second Amendment is not a universal right, but an instrument of upholding the racial order.
As we move forward, it's essential to acknowledge the historical context in which the Second Amendment was written and applied. The myth of universal gun rights must be dismantled, and we must work towards a more inclusive and equitable understanding of this constitutional right. For Black and Brown Americans, the Second Amendment has never been a guarantee – it has always been a conditional promise that is subject to the power of the state.
The Intercept's reporting on this topic is part of our ongoing effort to shine a light on the most pressing issues facing our democracy. If you're willing to help us continue this important work, consider joining our community of supporters and helping us expand our reporting capacity in 2026.
The legacy of white supremacy in America's founding is deeply intertwined with the Second Amendment. From the colonial South, where militias and slave patrols were created to control Black people and suppress rebellion, to the 19th-century laws that explicitly barred Black people from keeping or carrying firearms, this racial hierarchy has been embedded directly into gun policy.
The myth of universal gun rights, which is often touted by white gun-owning Americans, is a far cry from reality. For decades, police and policymakers have selectively enforced gun laws, using discriminatory permitting systems and higher rates of gun prosecutions to disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.
This selective enforcement mechanism has produced what sociologist Jennifer Carlson calls "gun populism," where police and policymakers distinguish between "good guys with guns" – typically white and middle-class individuals – and "bad guys with guns," who are disproportionately coded as Black, Brown, and poor. The results of this system are stark: bodies.
Recent high-profile cases illustrate the devastating consequences of this double standard. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and licensed gun owner, was killed by federal immigration agents during an interaction in Minneapolis. In contrast, armed white men who kill protesters, occupy federal buildings, or aim rifles at police are often treated as political actors, not existential threats.
The Second Amendment has never been a guarantee for Black and Brown Americans. Instead, it has always been a conditional right that is subject to the discretion of those who enforce the law. Pretti's killing serves as a bitter reminder that, in the eyes of the state, some people will never be allowed to be the good guy with a gun.
The real enforcement mechanism of the Second Amendment is not the Supreme Court or Congress but the thin blue line on the ground – police and policymakers who decide whose rights count and whose do not. It's time to confront this reality and recognize that the Second Amendment is not a universal right, but an instrument of upholding the racial order.
As we move forward, it's essential to acknowledge the historical context in which the Second Amendment was written and applied. The myth of universal gun rights must be dismantled, and we must work towards a more inclusive and equitable understanding of this constitutional right. For Black and Brown Americans, the Second Amendment has never been a guarantee – it has always been a conditional promise that is subject to the power of the state.
The Intercept's reporting on this topic is part of our ongoing effort to shine a light on the most pressing issues facing our democracy. If you're willing to help us continue this important work, consider joining our community of supporters and helping us expand our reporting capacity in 2026.
the second amendment is supposed to be about freedom but for black and brown ppl it's more like a threat. they're always getting pulled over or searched just because of their skin color. and when they do try to exercise their right to bear arms, they get shot by police who think they're "bad guys". it's not fair and we need to acknowledge the history behind this amendment and how it's been used to control ppl of color. 
meanwhile alex pretti was just tryna do his job and get stopped by immigration agents what even is that kinda systemic racism?
... like what even is the point of having a right if it's not gonna be enforced equally for everyone? i mean, can you imagine if there was some other law that said "oh yeah, this one applies to everyone" but then suddenly didn't when it came to certain people? 
wouldn't that just be a total sham? same with the second amendment 
. I mean, for real though, the Second Amendment has always been a joke for Black and Brown people #GunControlMatters. They're like "oh you can have guns too" but really they just get profiled and policed more than anyone else 
. It's all about who gets to be the "good guy with a gun" 
. Meanwhile, armed white guys who are totally out of line get a pass 
. The Second Amendment can't be just about "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" when it's always been a conditional promise for some people 
. If you're down with the cause, consider joining our community of supporters to help us expand our reporting capacity in 2026 
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i mean, come on, the legacy of slavery and segregation is still so deeply ingrained in our society, and we can't just sweep that under the rug 
. we need to have real conversations about how these laws have been used to oppress people of color and perpetuate systemic racism 
. but like, where do we even start? 
. It's just not true. The police and policymakers are always selective about who gets to keep guns and when they get to use them. We need to call out this hypocrisy and work towards a more inclusive understanding of the Second Amendment.
. You gotta recognize that the Second Amendment was written with racism in mind 
it's time to break down the myth of universal gun rights and acknowledge the real enforcement mechanism – police and policymakers who discriminate against communities of color 
. The whole thing is rooted in this messed up history of white supremacy, where militias and slave patrols were created to control Black people back in the day. And now, we've got these super discriminatory laws that let police pick and choose who gets to carry a gun 
. White gun-owning Americans always seem to get a free pass, while Black and Brown people are treated like they're some kind of threat 
. It's time to have an honest conversation about how we can make things more equitable and just for everyone, not just the people who are already privileged 
in america's history, we've been conditioned to believe that gun ownership is a fundamental right, but what if that's just a myth perpetuated by those who have always held power? like how the founding fathers were rooted in colonialism and slavery... it's time to unpack the racist roots of our gun laws 
️, but seriously, it's crazy to think that the 2nd amendment has been used as a tool for systemic oppression against black and brown americans 
. but maybe, just maybe, this is the catalyst we need to push for real change