Posted on 05/30/2020 7:38:36 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
The country's largest and best known gun rights association, the NRA, is losing board members amid a spate of deadly mass shootings. But another, lesser-known gun organization is thriving: the National African American Gun Association, the largest minority gun group in the country.
The group was founded by Phillip Smith, who fondly remembers the first time he fired his 9 mm pistol at a gun range.
"I felt free," Smith said. "I had a chance to kind of have some power in my hands."
Smith formed the first chapter of the National African American Gun Association, or NAAGA, in Atlanta.
"I didn't think I'd get more than 30 people…" Smith said. But in just five years, NAAGA has started 75 chapters with more than 30,000 members, over 90% of whom are black.
"We have folks from every walk of life," Smith said. "Black doctors, gay, straight, Republicans, Democrats. You name it, we have it … We're not monolithic in why we're all here. We have different reasons."
When asked why the members didn't just join the NRA, Smith said that "the NRA is good for some people that are having that perspective. Our perspective is for black folks."
Nezida Davis joined NAAGA to learn how to protect herself. She's not alone: more than 60% of NAAGA members are black women.
"I'm usually looked at like I'm a Martian," Davis said. "I mean, literally, if I come in and I get ready to go into the gun range, people are looking at me like, 'Why is she here? Black women don't shoot.' But we shoot."
After black churchgoers were targeted in Charleston and Mexicans were targeted in El Paso, members say they're prepared to defend themselves.
"It's crime in our communities, but it's also a white nationalist," Davis said. "I mean, I do believe they're emboldened … And, yes, I wanna be armed. I'm not goin' down without a fight. So I look at it that way. And so by bein' able to protect ourselves, by training properly and getting our practice in, and learning how to defend ourselves, at least we will be able to fight back if we are attacked -- from white supremacists or white nationalists."
NAAGA promotes the Second Amendment and social justice. But Smith said he's aware of the dangers of being black and legally armed in America. He pointed to the Philando Castile case in Minnesota, in which Castile, who was licensed to carry a gun, was shot and killed by a police officer during a 2016 traffic stop.
NAAGA immediately condemned the shooting. Smith pointed out that other prominent gun rights groups, like the NRA, did not.
"Them not speaking up says more to us than anything. Are you in agreement with that? I couldn't be silent. Tears came outta my eyes, when I heard this brother got shot," Smith said. "If you're an organization that wants to get black folks to back you up, that's the best way. Speak out, when you see injustice. Don't sit there silently, like you don't know what's happening. 'Cause we're a very intelligent group of folks."
NAAGA is talking about endorsing candidates, which could make them a political force. But the group isn't yet ready, and plans to discuss the issue at their first national conference next year.
To protect their family and businesses...damn straight.
“National African American Gun Association: As NRA Membership Wanes, Black Gun Group Thriving”
kudos to them ... i’d like to switch to a different gun support organization instead of the NRA, but our local gun club requires NRA membership as a prerequisite to stay in the club (for the purpose of using the ranges) ...
Why did they need to mention the NRA at all for this article? A cheap swipe? I like how they said “losing board members” because they couldn’t claim they’re losing overall members.
I'm going to go out on a limb here....cause I haven't finished the article....
But my 1st thought was....He needs to Talk to some Black Viet Nam vets...(which were over represented in the bush)...It wasn't about POWER....it was about a DUTY!......BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!
* Ill finish the article now and apologize if I have to...
The death of the NRA was supposed to happen back in the 1970s. Still here and going strong.
NAAGA — The Onion, or maybe Babylon Bee?
“the NRA, is losing board members amid a spate of deadly mass shootings.”
I wonder who’s ass they pulled that statement from?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.