Understanding Gun Laws

Philip Smmith | National African American Gun AssociationAs African American gun owners we all enjoy owning a firearm. It is really cool to hang out at your house with your boys hearing some soulful sounds coming from a Frankie Beverly album, and bragging about your shot “groupings” at the range or your new Glock, Sig, or Smith & Wesson M&P. But a lot of us, in our excitement to purchase a gun, forget the most important thing to remember when we buy a firearm. We take time to memorize the four  universal rules of handling a gun, rush to sign up to take beginning and advanced courses, and a few of us even become Instructors. All these things are highly recommended and are great because it helps us increase our overall skills. However, there is a larger issue that is just as critical, and that is understanding the laws within your state.

Most good firearms instructors require their students to know the four universal rules before they are allowed to start training with a gun. I would recommend taking it one step further in that every new gun owner should know the gun laws of their particular state including open carry vs concealed carry, ammo, and Stand Your Ground variations. To have a gun in 2021 and not be aware of how the gun laws work in your state is in my opinion a recipe for disaster. Ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law. We all can count the endless examples of individuals we know or have read about that after getting stopped by a police officer and arrested thinking that they were obeying the law–when in fact they weren’t. God forbid you shoot an intruder in your own home and find yourself getting arrested for second degree homicide. The examples are endless. So, please take the time before you pick up that gun to make sure you are completely familiar with the laws. If someone asks you if you can carry a gun in your car loaded, you should know the answer automatically. You don’t want any “gray area” or confusion. That is how African American gun owners can protect themselves from mistakes which can cost them their lives or imprisonment.

Lastly, the maturation of the modern African American gun owner in the last six years leading up to 2021 has been a beautiful thing to witness with all of us collectively coming together. But what we must not forget is that our ancestors died fighting for our rights–especially the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is just as much ours as any other community in the United States. In that ownership of the 2nd Amendment we should be aware at all times and require ourselves to protect the 2nd Amendment from those groups, organizations, or individuals who want to reduce–and in a lot of circumstances remove–the 2nd Amendment and our right to bear arms.

Remember without the 2nd Amendment we have no protections for our families, ourselves, or loved ones. So, please take a moment to read, digest and understand all the current legislation that is being reviewed by your local government officials and Senate and House Representatives in Washington D.C.

All Rights by their very nature are not guaranteed. you must fight to 
preserve them by reminding all continually why they were made and for whom.

– Philip Smith, NAAGA National President

29 Comments

  • YM
    Posted March 16, 2021 9:46 pm

    We said! Most people fail to realize that 2A prevented folks from over running our communities.

    That amendment and all amendments are ours just as much as any other community!!!

  • Denny Crane
    Posted March 16, 2021 10:12 pm

    I think knowing the laws and rules of gun ownership is so important that the state should test people to get a license. That will ensure that the gun owner and everyone around him/her is safe (family and neighbors). If you saw what happened with the NFAS and the negligence discharge; that was just lack of understanding and ignorance of the safety rules. Knowledge of your weapon is of utmost important. That way you won’t be uploading videos that is completely embarrassing yourself.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted July 8, 2021 7:07 pm

      Thank you, Denny. I believe the man’s gun fell and it discharged. One should never attempt to catch a falling firearm. Also, the name of the organization is NFAC. Regardless, you are absolutely correct!

  • Delanta
    Posted March 16, 2021 10:19 pm

    Thank You Brother I’m New To (Legal) Gun Ownership.. So This Information Is Welcome.. I Will Take Your Advice And Educate Myself And My Family About Our Laws On Firearms.. Thank You And Be Safe ✊🏾

  • Eric Shand
    Posted March 16, 2021 10:36 pm

    Philip,
    I am glad you are vocally standing up for the second amendment. The NRA has recently lost a lot of credibility. NAAGA can and should fill a portion of that void. It is important that all gun owners and the organizations they belong to let the politicians know that the second amendment is important to them. Unfortunately, many politicians think they can effectively abolish the second amendment by passing a variety of laws that make gun ownership nearly impossible through various registration, licensing, testing and taxation regimens. These legislative efforts need to be resisted.
    Thanks,
    Eric Shand

  • Irving Bell
    Posted March 16, 2021 10:55 pm

    Much appreciation for the very important and pertinent informational reminder Brother Phillip.
    Even as an ex-lawenforcement professional, it his helpful to have people like yourself help keep us up on the importance of responsibility and clear understanding of our rights and purported privileges; which seem to shrink more and more.
    Thank you, and much love Brother;
    New member
    Irving Bell

  • Walter
    Posted March 16, 2021 10:58 pm

    Thank you 😊

  • Virgil Franklin
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:22 pm

    This message was very timely, even for me. I realized there were some finer points of law with which I wasn’t familiar. Great advice.

  • Juakeia Jones
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:29 pm

    This is such an awesome post!!!

  • Cheryl Collier
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:41 pm

    Thankyou. It is very important that we stay abreast of the laws of the land. Lack of knowledge is the cause of our people perishing.

  • AB McRoy
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:43 pm

    Well said . Hold their feet to the fire and make sure it will be in the better interest of the people.

  • Marcus
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:56 pm

    Good reminder

  • Zachary Steele
    Posted March 16, 2021 11:59 pm

    Your points are well stated and truly appropriate.

  • Zachary Steele
    Posted March 17, 2021 12:05 am

    As a newly certified instructor I
    Will make it a point to include the review of state gun laws and the fact that the law varies from state to state.
    In the past when I have traveled across state borders I ha e taken the precaution of printing out the laws of each state I planned to cross and. I keep those print outs on the passenger seat. Just in case …..

  • James Carpenter
    Posted March 17, 2021 12:15 am

    Whether voting, living in society, or owning and using firearms education is still the key to freedom.
    All firearm owners should take an active role in becoming proficient with their firearms and learning local, State, and Federal firearm regulations.

  • Charmelle Reed
    Posted March 17, 2021 12:33 am

    As a new gun owner in Ohio, thank you for reiterating all of the important points made by our instructor Thomas Cunningham. When your main objective is to protect yourself and your family physically, it is easy to forget about legal, financial and moral obligations.

  • MICHAEL POINDEXTER
    Posted March 17, 2021 1:11 am

    I am interested in finding out if I purchase a family weapon, in this case I purchased pistols for my daughter as a gift but they are considered part of their (protection) and will be possessing the weapons in another state. Where do I begin to figure out the legality of them being handed weapons throw exchange of hand from me in Texas to them in Mississippi?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted July 8, 2021 7:19 pm

      Michael, it would be best to have your chapter’s leadership help walk you through the process.

  • Homer Carter
    Posted March 17, 2021 1:24 am

    Great message Mr.President, since NAAGA has members across these United States, each state and some cities within those states have different rules and laws concerning firearm ownership. A classic example is right here in the state of Pennsylvania. In the city of Philadelphia in order to carry conceal or open carry, you must have a License To Carry Permit. While in the rest of Pennsylvania (including the city of Pittsburgh) you do not need a License To Carry Permit.

    Regarding our participation in 2nd Amendment Activities, you’re 100% correct in our involvement. The problem is not that we don’t respect the 2nd Amendment, but how does the rights under the 2nd apply to people of color? I believe we as a National Organization must truly begin to discuss how the 2nd Amendment [protects] People of Color regarding firearm ownership. Does Law Enforcement apply the same rules to us as they do to their white brother and sisters?

  • Jim Teasdale
    Posted March 17, 2021 1:58 am

    Great Article… particularly on the importance of defending the entire 2nd Amendment. We must stand together against ALL infringement!

  • Lisa Williams
    Posted March 17, 2021 6:05 am

    Thank you for engaging and educating us on our rights and laws.

  • Major Mike Williams
    Posted March 17, 2021 1:34 pm

    As an instructor I spent the first 90 minutes of my course instructing my students on the the Georgia state statute as they relate to Concealed Carry. It is the most important part of my training curriculum.

  • Alan Lewis
    Posted March 17, 2021 1:37 pm

    Thanks for the message and your leadership. This is sound advice.

  • Ralph
    Posted March 18, 2021 11:56 am

    Commendable leadership

  • Cleve Straughter
    Posted March 18, 2021 1:56 pm

    That’s been weighing on my mind for some time. Thank you for kick starting my law reading!!!

  • Tony Bell
    Posted March 18, 2021 7:33 pm

    Your comments are on point. Thank you!

  • Wesley H Campbell
    Posted March 19, 2021 12:12 am

    Amen and Amen!!!

  • Bennie Smith
    Posted March 22, 2021 4:39 pm

    I wholeheartedly agree with this article, especially for us fighting for our 2nd Amendment right as well.

  • Andre Sidney
    Posted March 24, 2021 4:42 am

    1000% Agreed.. Thank you for bringing light to this topic..

Comments are closed.