by Lumamba Moulton

As the country slowly reopens, NAAGA leadership is busy helping members adjust to the new normal. Political upheaval, civil protests, inhumane killings of black and brown American citizens, more than a year of quarantine, layoffs and furloughs, fires and droughts, and the illnesses and deaths of family and friends have brought the importance of firearms safety and survival skills to the forefront. We reached out to NOLA NAAGA Chapter President, Lumumba Moulton to walk us through the challenges he has and will continue to face in the future:

On May 22, 2021, the New Orleans chapter of NAAGA, NOLA NAAGA, hosted our first indoor in-person meeting since COVID-19. It has truly been a long year and two months. My goal at the start of my NAAGA journey was simple: education. When I moved back to New Orleans after residing in Chicago for 15 years, I realized that the classes that I am used to taking on a regular basis–Firearms, Emergency Preparedness, Stop the Bleed, etc. were non-existent here. I saw an opportunity to help my community.

Since the start of the pandemic, it has been back to the basics and busy for me as President of NOLA NAAGA. I had to find an outdoor range that fit our needs and allowed us to social distance. I used my media background to make videos teaching members how to dry fire, proper grip, administer basic first aid, proper use of a tourniquet and other survival techniques. This was all done while fielding calls from members who felt that the community, who were in the streets protesting killings of by law enforcement, could use our support.

I got in touch with protest organizers who were happy to have our support but did not want a visible NAAGA presence at the events. I also sat down several times with our police chiefs here in New Orleans including Superintendent Ferguson. The discussions ranged from their response to the protests, to how we can all work toward a safer New Orleans and a more equitable criminal justice system.

As our city shut down, the mayor began a process of furloughs for all first responders, firefighters, EMS and police. This directly coincided with an uptick in crime, which unfortunately hit home for me. Last November, I was the victim of an attempted carjacking. Ultimately, I kept my truck, and the young man kept his life, but it has made me even more vigilant. As the fallout of shutting down much of the economy due to COVID-19 continues to develop, I am stressing to all members the need to stay ready and aware at all times. NAAGA is needed now more than ever.

The past 14 months have given me many different hats to wear, from becoming a sort of clearing house helping people in the community find their first firearm or bullets for an existing gun (which is difficult during a drought), to teaching members how to train at home and conserve ammo. However, one of my most important roles has just been being a source of information as we navigated the Trump administration, culminating in the insurrection on January 6th.

After prolonged quarantine and isolation, sitting down with members at our latest meeting over coffee and donuts to converse was a much-needed change. Aaron Mack, one of our members who is also an MD, gave a demonstration on tourniquets and a talk on Tension Pneumothorax. Keisha Thomas, an attorney in our chapter, led a discussion on legal issues. I conducted a demo on proper firearm grip, and Jay Banks, one of our local Council Members, led a discussion about how we could get a gun range in New Orleans among other things. It is beautiful to see that NAAGA is moving forward again.

To our NAAGA members who are law enforcement: I appreciate that you continue to be involved in conversations about how to keep our community safe, while ensuring that we are also treated fairly; letting the powers that be know that both can be done concurrently. We can make sure this country understands that Black Lives Matter while continuing to support our officers who are putting their lives on the line everyday doing a great job in a tough situation.

With the leadership of National President, Philip Smith and my Southwest Regional Director, Stephanie Marie, I am excited for our burgeoning place in the Black community and in America in general. From focusing on firearms education to being leaders and shepherding them through this current crisis, I know that NAAGA will stay at the forefront of advocating for the inalienable right to self-defense for African Americans.

We are bringing Education, Training, Safety, Self-Defense and Advocacy for and by African Americans to the Black community.

Be sure to follow Lumumba Moulton on Instagram @Moonemoon74.