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The Rise of Black Gun Ownership

"The Rise of Black Gun Ownership" is a documentary that explores the personal stories of three Black Men and their journey with gun ownership in the nation's capital. The film explores the recent rise of legal gun ownership in the United States and why African Americans believe that they need to be armed. With personal testimonies and social reflections, the audience comes face to face with the realities that Black people deal with and why many are now choosing to buy legal guns.

  • Mel Andre
    Director
    Lesbians We Do Exist
  • Mel Andre
    Producer
    Comuna 13
  • Johanna Freda
    Producer
    Maryland Legalized
  • Greg Andre
    Producer
    Maryland Legalized
  • Tim
    Key Cast
    "Tim"
  • Rico
    Key Cast
    "Rico"
  • Chris
    Key Cast
    "Chris"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 13 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 11, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mel Andre

Mel Andre is a Queer documentarian and Director of Haitian Dominican Cuban Roots who believes in giving people a voice. Mel's Documentaries are a way for people to share their stories. Their documentaries focus on LGBTQ issues, social justice, spirituality, culture, etc.

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Director Statement

Director's Statement: My aim was to explore the reasons behind the increasing trend of legal black gun ownership. The topic of gun laws and ownership has always been a divisive issue in the United States. I wanted to dive deeper into the reasons that push different communities to own guns. After 2020, there has been a noticeable surge in African Americans purchasing legal firearms. To understand the reasons behind this trend, I wanted to have an honest and personal conversation with people.

My ultimate goal was not to create a biased film that was either for or against guns. Rather, I wanted to provide black men with the opportunity to share their personal reasons for owning guns. - Mel Andre