National African American Gun Association

The National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) is an organization that promotes gun rights among African-Americans in the United States. It has over 45,000 members,[1] more than 75 chapters in the United States, and has grown significantly in reaction to Black deaths. The organization was founded by Phillip Smith in 2015.[3][4]

"NAAGA" redirects here. For the 2003 Telugu action-thriller film, see Naaga.

National African American Gun Association
FoundedFebruary 28, 2015 (2015-02-28)
Membership
45,000+[1]
Philip Smith
Douglas Jefferson[2]
Websitenaaga.co

History

Philip Smith founded NAAGA in February 2015 in honor of Black History Month. His goal was to educate African-Americans on gun usage and ownership. Organizers say NAAGA is a civil rights organization "that aims to build community and promote self-protection". Smith founded NAAGA in response to discrimination against Black gun owners.[4]

From 2015 to 2020, the organization has grown to over 45,000 members,[1] with 75 chapters, and is expected to open 25 more within the coming year. Membership first spiked when Donald Trump was elected president.[5] Smith attributed part of the growth to "a political climate where people with racist views feel emboldened to talk about and act on those views".[4]

Eric Sanders, the vice president for the Kansas City, Missouri, chapter, said "we have a large group that's coming into the organization, and 60–70% are women now."[6]

NAAGA condemned the shooting of Philando Castile.[7]

References
  1. Miller, Larry (April 26, 2021). "Gun ownership among Black men and women skyrockets". WUSA9. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022.
  2. Newton, Creede (November 26, 2017). "Guns 'key' to African American equality: NAAGA". aljazeera.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  3. Scruggs, Lea (June 23, 2020). "The NRA for Black People Wants to Get Political". www.vice.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  4. Booker, Brakkton (July 10, 2019). "With A Growing Membership Since Trump, Black Gun Group Considers Getting Political". NPR.org. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  5. Young, Ryan (February 27, 2017). "African-American gun club says membership surged after Trump election". CNN. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  6. Summers, Zac (November 20, 2019). "Changing perceptions, KC group looks at gun ownership through eyes of black community". FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. "As NRA membership wanes, America's largest black gun group is thriving". cbsnews.com. September 11, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
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