Even a National Rifle Association podcast host thinks the killing of Philando Castile by police “does not look good.”
Cam Edwards, host of the “Cam & Co” NRA podcast, appeared to be the first figure from the pro-gun association to publicly discuss the shootings of Castile and Alton Sterling on Thursday afternoon. Both black men were armed when they were killed by police; Castile is said to have had a permit to carry a handgun.
“What we know does not look good,” he said, adding later: “Our right to keep and bear arms is not based on the color of our skin.”
In an interview with John Cardillo, another conservative pro-gun radio host, Edwards noted that Castile’s family have said they’re afraid to carry weapons because they might be shot by law enforcement.
The NRA is facing a lot of criticism for its silence about the police killing two black men this week who were carrying guns for personal protection and not threatening cops when they were slain.
Castile’s family says he had a permit to carry the gun in Minnesota. (A sheriff’s spokesman would not confirm or deny the status of Castile’s permit.) Louisiana, where Sterling was killed, allows the open carry of weapons by individuals over age 17 who are not otherwise legally barred to possess firearms
The National Rifle Association remained silent about two police-involved killings of black men Thursday, despite its ongoing efforts to win support from black gun owners through an outreach campaign and boasting about its history.
The NRA hasn’t officially responded as it usually does on Twitter as of Thursday afternoon. Instead, the NRA’s main Twitter account tweeted about an armed teen who allegedly fended off burglars and Nevada honoring Utah’s concealed carry permits.