RALEIGH, N.C. — It was one year ago when 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was killed by Louisville police serving a no-knock warrant.

Her death came months before the death of George Floyd. The Minneapolis police officer charged in the crime is on trial right now.

What You Need To Know

  • Concealed carry classes are flooded with customers

  • Many customers are first-time gun owners, women, and other minority groups

  • Last year, gun sales skyrocketed nationwide

  • A 2020 survey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation shows Black customers made up the largest increase of any racial group

North Carolinians have responded in a number of ways, from the bringing down Confederate statues, to protests and voting.

In Raleigh, some people are learning skills to protect themselves.

“If you’re not prepared to pull that trigger, do not put that handgun in your possession. Because, unfortunately, if you don’t pull the trigger, the threat that’s posed against you just might.” says Tony DeRico, founder and president of STOP, Strategic Tactics of Protection.

Tony DeRico is a retired law enforcement officer. Teaching new gun owners how to stay alive is what's keeping him busy

Since the pandemic hit, DeRico’s business is flooded with customers. Classes to get a concealed carry permit are booked out weeks in advance.

He says most of his students are first-time gun owners and his classes are filled with women, especially Black women.

“The riots and the things that went on at the capitol on January 6, you never know the threat that’s out there. Even the threat to the capitol, it could be a threat to me also as a Black female," says Rachel White, a first-time gun owner.

White lives alone and feels any threat could come through her front door.

“People are so brazen and will do anything to you, so I like to think i can protect myself," she says.

DeRico hears it every day, his customers don't want to be in front of the trigger. But pulling it isn't without great responsibility and judgement.

“Ideally, the first course of action — not to be there. Don’t attend any argument that you’re invited to. Leave. It’s that simple," DeRico says.

DeRico says the hope is that with the right education and instruction, people can feel safe again.

"The only way that you’re going to put me in a position to where I have to hurt you… is that you got to leave me no other choice," he says.