Rooftop Koreans

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"Rooftop Koreans" or "Roof Koreans" refers to Korean American business owners and residents during the 1992 Los Angeles riots who armed themselves and took to the rooftops of local businesses to defend them. The imagery of armed shopkeepers became emblematic of Korean Americans' struggle during the riots and has since been embraced by gun rights advocates as an example of the necessity of self-defense in the absence of state protection. In the years following the riots, the "Roof Koreans" narrative has evolved into a cultural and political symbol. While initially a reference to the resilience of Korean-American shop owners, it has been widely adopted in pro-gun circles and Second Amendment advocacy, with some viewing it as a justification for private gun ownership in times of civil unrest.