{"id":2887,"date":"2024-02-27T15:58:28","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T15:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=2887"},"modified":"2024-02-27T15:58:28","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T15:58:28","slug":"honoring-black-gun-ownership-during-black-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=2887","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Black Gun Ownership During Black History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-e1709042383964.jpeg\" data-caption=\"Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"522\" class=\"entry-thumb td-modal-image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-696x522.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-696x522.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-700x525.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-1068x801.jpeg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-1920x1440.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-560x420.jpeg 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-80x60.jpeg 80w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-265x198.jpeg 265w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Maj-Toure-\u2013-Black-Guns-Matter-e1709042383964.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" alt=\"\" title=\"Maj Toure \u2013 Black Guns Matter\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Throughout the month of February, America celebrates Black History Month. There is much to celebrate for the contributions African Americans have made to our nation. That includes within the firearm industry and as gun owners.<\/p>\n<p>That history, of course, <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/blogs\/pundits-blog\/civil-rights\/347324-the-racist-origin-of-gun-control-laws\/\"><strong>isn\u2019t without controversy<\/strong><\/a>. There is still progress to be made. The history of Black Americans and firearm ownership has advanced far beyond what it was at the nation\u2019s founding. That history, however, isn\u2019t meant to be swept under the rug. It is an important lesson that all Americans, from all walks of life, should understand for how it impacts our fundamental freedoms \u2013 including Second Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<p>The right to keep and bear arms is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/pictureshow\/2022\/10\/13\/1126878376\/christian-lee-captures-black-gun-ownership-in-armed-doesnt-mean-dangerous\">increasingly popular<\/a><\/strong> in the African American community. That\u2019s an important fact that no one in America should ignore. The Second Amendment isn\u2019t a right for just one segment of America. It\u2019s a right for all \u2013 to be exercised whenever any law-abiding citizen so chooses.<\/p>\n<p>NSSF has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/theres-a-reason-african-american-gun-ownership-is-rising\/\"><strong>witnessed and celebrated<\/strong><\/a> this growth, especially over recent years as African American gun ownership has skyrocketed. Today\u2019s public and private ranges look like the rest of America, because, let\u2019s be honest, their customers are the rest of America. That includes more African American men and women purchasing firearms, learning how to properly and safely store them when not in use and becoming proficient in marksmanship.<\/p>\n<h4>Gun Control History<\/h4>\n<p>The history of African Americans and gun ownership in America shows this wasn\u2019t always the case. Our friends at the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) detailed the complex and discriminatory nature of gun control that was used as a tool to disarm Blacks. Many of today\u2019s gun control laws have their roots in racist Jim Crow laws. Some of them, like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/n-c-legislature-overrides-veto-abolishes-104-year-old-jim-crow-pistol-permit-law\/\">North Carolina\u2019s requirement<\/a><\/strong> for a sheriff to approve a permit-to-purchase, have been abolished. Yet, some remain and some states even <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2024-02-07\/if-we-must-rely-on-history-and-tradition-to-assess-gun-laws-does-racist-history-count\">reference these racist laws as reasons<\/a><\/strong> to continue to deny Second Amendment rights to all Americans.<\/p>\n<p>NAAGA\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naaga.co\/history-of-guns-2\/\">website<\/a><\/strong> offers a clear understanding of how Blacks were denied their gun rights. It started with states adopting Black Codes, which were used to deny gun ownership to Blacks. Louisiana colonists established the French Black Code in 1751 that required colonists to stop Blacks if they were seen carrying a firearm and if necessary, beat \u201cany Black carrying any potential weapon, such as a cane.\u201d If a Black person refused to stop, colonists were authorized to \u201cshoot to kill.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There were even inclusions to the law to disarm free Blacks and disarm Black militias. That didn\u2019t stop African Americans from taking up arms to protect themselves, even at risk to their own lives. Harriet Tubman, the famed abolitionist who ushered slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, was known to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/hatu\/planyourvisit\/upload\/MD_TubmanFactSheet_MythsFacts_2.pdf\">carry a pistol<\/a><\/strong> for her own protection and later a sharpshooter\u2019s rifle during the Civil War.<\/p>\n<p>Black Codes were adopted in many states following the end of the Civil War, requiring licenses for carrying or possessing firearms. That didn\u2019t discourage Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and statesman, from recognizing and advocating for Black Americans, including gun ownership. He <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reason.com\/2014\/07\/22\/how-crazy-negroes-with-guns-he\/\">wrote<\/a><\/strong> in 1867, \u201ca man\u2019s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box and the cartridge box.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ida B. Wells-Barnett, an anti-lynching crusader, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourtango.com\/2017300768\/10-inspirational-quotes-activist-ida-b-wells\">wrote<\/a><\/strong> in 1892 of the importance of Black Americans to be armed at a time when lynchings took the lives of one Black person every three days. \u201cA Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every Black home, and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>More than 100 years after slavery was abolished, African American rights were dismal. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reason.com\/2021\/10\/27\/why-martin-luther-king-couldnt-get-a-carry-permit\/\">applied for a concealed carry permit<\/a><\/strong> after his Alabama home was firebombed in 1956. The local sheriff denied the permit, deeming him \u201cunsuitable.\u201d One account noted that Dr. King possessed an <strong>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/mlk-and-his-guns_b_810132\">arsenal<\/a>\u201d<\/strong> before he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ctvnews.ca\/world\/martin-luther-king-had-complicated-legacy-on-gun-violence-1.2741025\"><strong>embraced non-violence<\/strong><\/a> to protest racism in America.<\/p>\n<p>In 1964, the Deacons for Defense was formed to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). It was comprised mostly of WWII and Korean War veterans and provided protection for African Americans registering to vote and civil rights workers. Deacons for Defense provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. In 1966, the Black Panther Party was formed in Oakland, California, and advocated for self-defense through the use of firearms and exercising Second Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<p>Lawful and responsible gun ownership in the African American community continues today. Many choose to own a firearm for self-defense. Others are finding community in recreational target shooting. In 2020, the same year the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown orders came and crime was spiking, African Americans were purchasing firearms at a rate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/nssf-survey-reveals-broad-demographic-appeal-for-firearm-purchases-during-sales-surge-of-2020\/\"><strong>58 percent higher<\/strong><\/a> than the year before. Today, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/2022\/02\/rise-of-black-female-gun-owners.html\">African American women are the fastest growing segment<\/a><\/strong> of gun owners, with an 87 percent growth rate.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few examples of outstanding advocates for the right to keep and bear arms:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Philip Smith \u2013 NAAGA<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_545246\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-545246\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545246\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-700x404.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-300x173.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-768x443.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1536x887.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-150x87.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-696x402.webp 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1068x616.webp 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1920x1108.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-728x420.webp 728w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-560x323.webp 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg.webp 2048w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-700x404.webp\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545246\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-700x404.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-700x404.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-300x173.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-768x443.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1536x887.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-150x87.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-696x402.webp 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1068x616.webp 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-1920x1108.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-728x420.webp 728w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg-560x323.webp 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/philip_smith_naaga_portrait-scaled.jpg.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-545246\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Phillip Smith, founder of NAAGA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>African American gun ownership also saw a rapid increase in membership with NAAGA. Founded by Philip Smith, <a href=\"https:\/\/naaga.co\/how-it-started\/\"><strong>NAAGA\u2019s goal<\/strong><\/a> is to expose, educate and motivate as many African American men and women to go out and purchase a firearm for self-defense and to take training on proper gun use. NAAGA will celebrate eight years of their founding on Feb. 28, 2015, in honor of Black History Month. NAAGA actively advocates for Second Amendment rights of all Americans, especially African Americans. Smith has testified before Congress and NAAGA has submitted <a href=\"https:\/\/naaga.co\/amicus-briefs\/\"><strong>amicus briefs<\/strong><\/a> for several court challenges that seem to be destined for the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p>Smith added his voice to NSSF\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssfrealsolutions.org\/\">Real Solutions. Safer Communities\u00ae<\/a><\/strong> campaign, which promotes firearm industry-led efforts for safe and responsible gun ownership.<\/p>\n<h4>Michael Cargill \u2013 Challenging ATF<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_545247\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-545247\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545247\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Michael-Cargill-700x443.png\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545247\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Michael-Cargill-700x443.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"440\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-545247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michael Cargill of Central Texas Gun Works has challenged the ATF\u2019s bump stock ban.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>NAAGA has good company when it comes to adding an African American voice in the courts for Second Amendment rights. Michael Cargill is the owner of Central Texas Gun Works and challenged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Final Rule banning bump stocks. The case, <em>Garland v. Cargill<\/em>, is being petitioned to the U.S. Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the ATF overstepped their regulatory authority. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/nssf-files-amicus-brief-in-garland-v-cargill\/\"><strong>NSSF filed an amicus brief<\/strong><\/a> supporting Cargill\u2019s challenge.<\/p>\n<h4>Geneva Solomon \u2013 Advocate<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_545248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-545248\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545248\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"492\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Geneva-Solomon-\u2013-Advocate-700x495.png\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545248\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Geneva-Solomon-\u2013-Advocate-700x495.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"492\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-545248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Geneva Solomon, co-owner of Redstone Firearms and a vocal 2A advocate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Geneva Solomon is the co-owner of Redstone Firearms in Burbank, Calif., which she operates with her husband, Jonathan. She\u2019s a domestic abuse survivor, business owner, firearm ownership advocate and NAAGA executive board member. She\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/05\/18\/business\/gun-control-debate-women-minorities\/index.html#:~:text=NAAGA%20executive%20board%20member%20Geneva%20Solomon%2C%2039%2C%20and%20her%20husband,Burbank%2C%20California%2C%20gun%20store.\">spoken in the media <\/a><\/strong>and testified before the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/women-testify-of-second-amendment-empowerment-to-congress\/\"><strong>importance of Second Amendment rights<\/strong><\/a>, particularly when it applies to African Americans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy journey from victim to survivor to advocate has led me to this moment today,\u201d Solomon explained to Congress. \u201cAs a Black woman, this is not a matter of imagination. It was my lived experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Solomon said her path to healing and protecting herself and her family made her realize, \u201cI had to become my own first responder.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Solomon has <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/V0-6ntEgxlo\">also advocated<\/a><\/strong> for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssfrealsolutions.org\/\">NSSF\u2019s Real Solutions. Safer Communities\u00ae<\/a><\/strong> campaign for firearm-industry driven safety programs.<\/p>\n<h4>Maj Toure \u2013 Black Guns Matter<\/h4>\n<p>Maj Toure is the founder of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/blackgunsmattermajtoure\/\">Black Guns Matter<\/a><\/strong> and a staunch advocate and leading voice for African American gun ownership. Black Guns Matter is focused on<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tacticalpay.com\/20-toure\/\">educating people<\/a> <\/strong>of all races, especially Black Americans, on safe, legal and responsible gun ownership. Toure has also testified before Congress and has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JohnStossel\/videos\/maj-toure-black-guns-matter\/620011099811017\/\"><strong>featured in media<\/strong><\/a> speaking out for Second Amendment rights, especially those of African Americans. He\u2019s unafraid to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reason.com\/video\/2022\/11\/09\/maj-toure-gun-control-is-the-most-racist-practice-in-america\/\">condemn gun control laws<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recoilweb.com\/the-racist-history-of-gun-control-170500.html\">noted for saying<\/a><\/strong> \u201cAll gun control is racist.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Shermichael Singleton \u2013 Political Commentator<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_545249\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-545249\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545249\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-700x502.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-696x499.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-1068x765.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-586x420.jpg 586w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-560x401.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit.jpg 1400w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-700x502.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545249\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-700x502.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-700x502.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-696x499.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-1068x765.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-586x420.jpg 586w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit-560x401.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shermichael-singleton-twitter-edit.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-545249\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shermichael Singleton, a political commentator, helped create Guns Out TV, a gun culture lifestyle brand and media company<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shermichael Singleton, together with John Keys, created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/gunsouttv\"><strong>Guns Out TV<\/strong>,<\/a> a gun culture lifestyle brand and media company that aims to create educational, entertaining and compelling content pertaining to firearms operation and ownership. Singleton is also a noted political commentator, appearing on MSNBC, Fox News and CNN, to speak about the latest on politics. He\u2019s also a fierce advocate for lawful and responsible gun ownership, especially in the African American community.<\/p>\n<p>He authored a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/opinion\/civil-rights\/546176-why-african-americans-should-strictly-oppose-the-war-on-guns\/\">column in The Hill<\/a> <\/strong>in 2021, noting the growth of African American gun owners and cautioning politicians against abandoning voters in favor of special-interest gun control groups that would rob African Americans of their Second Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is why efforts by Democrats to legislate the Second Amendment out of existence may land on deaf ears among African Americans who usually support a gun control agenda,\u201d Singleton wrote. \u201cAfrican Americans are now becoming more receptive to the idea of responsible and legal gun ownership as a realistic defense against rising crime and violence from the far right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Singleton has been instrumental in advancing NSSF\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssfrealsolutions.org\/\"><strong>Real Solution. Safer Communities\u00ae<\/strong><\/a> campaign by <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jozurO3FH9k\"><strong>adding his voice<\/strong><\/a> to the importance of firearm industry safety efforts.<\/p>\n<h4>Colion Noir \u2013 Activist and Lawyer<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_545250\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-545250\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545250\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-700x520.png 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-150x111.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-485x360.png 485w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-696x517.png 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-566x420.png 566w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-80x60.png 80w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-265x198.png 265w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-560x416.png 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram.png 940w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-700x520.png\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-545250\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-700x520.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-700x520.png 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-150x111.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-485x360.png 485w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-696x517.png 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-566x420.png 566w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-80x60.png 80w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-265x198.png 265w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram-560x416.png 560w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Colion-Noir_Instagram.png 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-545250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Colion Noir has become one of the most visible and outspoken 2A supporters on social media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Colion Noir has long been a staple of gun ownership advocacy. He combined his background as a lawyer and passion for firearm ownership to examine the Second Amendment and the attacks on gun rights.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo me, a gun in the hands of a responsible law-abiding citizen is the ultimate symbol of freedom,\u201d Noir writes on his website, adding, \u201cOver time, I grew tired of hiding and feeling guilty for the sins of other people who used guns irresponsibly. I wasn\u2019t a drug dealer, I didn\u2019t gang bang and I didn\u2019t want to kill anyone. I was a college kid who developed a healthy passion for guns with a desire to protect myself. When I finally came out of the gun closet, I came out talking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Today, Noir is one of the most recognizable faces of gun ownership.<\/p>\n<p>Black History Month wouldn\u2019t be complete without talking about \u2013 and celebrating \u2013 the victories for African Americans claiming their Second Amendment rights. Those rights belong to every American, regardless of race. Those fighting for these rights deserve the recognition they are making for all Americans.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>\u2014Joe Bartozzi for the NSSF<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/honoring-black-gun-ownership-during-black-history-month\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter Next Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6 Throughout the month of February, America celebrates Black History Month. There is much to celebrate for the contributions African Americans have made to our nation. That includes within the firearm industry and as gun owners. That history, of course, isn\u2019t without controversy. There is still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2887","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2887"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}