SAF Launches ‘Gun Rights Equality Project,’ Says 2A is ‘Color-blind’

SAF’s Alan Gottlieb and Chicago’s Rhonda Ezell, plaintiff in one of SAF’s lawsuits against the city. (Dave Workman)

U.S.A.-(AmmoLand.com)- Declaring the Second Amendment “is color-blind,” the Second Amendment Foundation has launched an ambitious project to “remind America that the right to keep and bear arms is all-inclusive” and suggested its attorneys will take a hard look at any allegations of discrimination against minorities seeking to purchase or carry firearms legally for personal protection.

“No law-abiding citizen should ever be denied the right to purchase a firearm or get a license to carry due to the color of their skin,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb.

“We’re launching our new Equality Project now because in recent days the topic of racism has been on everyone’s mind, and there’s been an increasing interest in gun ownership among minorities.”

As far back as 2017, gun ownership among minorities has been making news. Three years ago, a Pew Research Center survey showed gun ownership among blacks was lower than among whites, “but not my much.” Among whites, 36 percent said they own guns and 49 percent live in a household where someone owns a firearm. Among African-Americans, 24 percent said they own guns and 34 percent live in a home where someone else has a firearm.

Pew added this: “The numbers are lower for Hispanics, 15% and 21%.”

Last year, NPR reported on the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA), whose goal is “to introduce black Americans to guns and also instruct them on how to use them.” The group was founded in 2015 and by mid-2019 when NPR focused on them, NAAGA reportedly had “roughly 30,000 members and 75 chapters nationwide.” They are based in Griffin, Georgia.

This past January, WAVY News in Portsmouth, Virginia reported local gun shops in the Hampton Roads region reported a rise in gun sales “especially among women and minorities.”

Why is SAF suddenly interested? The fact is, this is hardly a “sudden interest,” and any attempt to portray this effort as some sort of publicity stunt is demonstrably false.

As noted by Gottlieb in a prepared statement announcing the Equality Project, “SAF has a strong track record of protecting minorities, including the landmark Supreme Court case of McDonald v. Chicago, plus lower court victories including Ezell v. Chicago and Moore v. Madigan. These cases show that in the past we have not tolerated discrimination against minorities exercising their Second Amendment rights, and we have no intention of allowing that in the future.”

Alan Gottlieb and the late Otis McDonald, for whom SAF’s landmark Supreme Court victory in ‘McDonald v. City of Chicago’ case was named. (Dave Workman)

Plaintiffs in all three of those cases were African-American.

Elsewhere, in the recent Georgia case Walters v. Kemp, the plaintiff was a woman who was unable to apply for a concealed carry permit because the probate court would not accept new carry license applications during the COVID-19 pandemic panic.

SAF is in the process of taking a California case—Lori Rodriguez v. City of San Jose—to the U.S. Supreme Court. Several years ago, when Mrs. Rodriguez’ husband was detained for a mental health evaluation, the city seized her legally-owned firearms without a warrant, and has refused to return them even though she can legally own and purchase other guns.

In a message to the public, SAF announced, “If you or anyone you know has been denied a permit to purchase or carry a firearm, please notify us immediately…The Foundation will have our attorneys get involved to protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans, especially minorities who are being discriminated against.”

For more than five years, organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Rifle Association, as well as SAF and its sister group the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, have recognized women as the fastest-growing segment of the shooting public. More women are buying guns for personal protection, target shooting and even hunting.

During its annual Gun Rights Policy Conference, woman and minorities are well represented on speaker panels, as well as the LGBTQ community.

To contact SAF about the Gun Rights Equality Project, please email: [email protected]

MEANWHILE, in a follow-up to AmmoLand’s June 2 report about armed citizens protecting the City of Snohomish, Washington (Northeast of Seattle) from threats of disruptive protest, the Associated Press is reporting that the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department has replaced the police chief (it’s a contract city) because of complaints that the former designated chief, Keith Rogers, had not condemned the “armed vigilantes.”

While Seattle suffered through nights of destructive protests, Snohomish didn’t suffer so much as a broken window.

Even Snohomish Mayor John Kartak defended Rogers on Facebook and Reddit, and pushed back against critics for mounting “an organized and focused attack on our community, on our police chief, and on myself.”

The Everett Herald initially referred to the turnout of armed citizens and business people to protect their downtown area from a credible threat of violence as “vigilantes.” The story acknowledged that Kartak insisted the “self-appointed guards saved the city from looters,” but noted that “a chorus of citizens saw the opposite.”

The Herald headlined its story “100 armed vigilantes rouse fear, soul-searching in Snohomish.”

 


About Dave WorkmanDave Workman

Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.

Dave Workman
61 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tionico

100 armed vigilantes rouse fear, soul-searching in Snohomish. vigilante.. someone who stands watch, take care for the safety of others under possible threat. Are not the police “vigilantes”? Except in places like Seattle and Portland where the police DO indeed watch, but do NOTHING to care for the safety of others under possible (let alone REAL) threat. The Korean rooftop vigilantes in Los Angeses during the “rodney King” riots were no cause for fear or soul searcing… except in the hearts of the mob that walked up the street, past a number ob buildings razed to the ground by fires… Read more »

uncle dudley

Since everyone bleeds RED why should the color of ones skin have to do with anything.

Tionico

it is a convenient excuse for those seeking to appply Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals to destabilise and destroy our country. Its that simple.

nobodyuknow

The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States IS color blind. That right belongs to every citizen in America!

RoyD

Because I know that words have meanings and how you use those words also has meaning I found this statement in the article interesting:

“Among whites, 36 percent said they own guns and 49 percent live in a household where someone owns a firearm. Among African-Americans, 24 percent said they own guns and 34 percent live in a home where someone else has a firearm.”

Have you figured it out yet?

RoyD

USA: Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!!!!!

GUNFUN

You know that they read it carefully if they are nitpicking.

BTW Dave, give us what we need an article on. What cheap (free) ways can we support our constitution?

nrringlee

It goes back to the principle that first you must win the argument and then you can win the election. Rioting and destruction of urban America has done more damage to the Giffords Law Center argument than almost anything we can say. After all we are talking to ears that will not hear. I note that Mark Kelly’s massive ad campaign here in Arizona is devoid of any mention of gun rights elimination. That in and of itself is telling. He is giving up his umbilical cord to Progressive America in favor of Hope-a-Dope blather about non issues. That tells… Read more »

Doszap

The rioting and destruction has had a silver lining with a lot of NON gun owners who are now Gun owners due to they have seen what/why we have the 2A.(and a total lack of LE’s ability to stop it) 3 Million plus new,never owned a weapon on their lives Americans have joined in,that is the only plus for the rampant destruction. Our problem is while we watch THAT, Congress is sending bill after bill of ANTI 2A bills into and thru committees like nearly on a daily basis, and REPUBLICANS are signing onto them. Watch what they do not… Read more »

Wild Bill

@USA, Those are state and local government violations of the Constitution. Trump can not stop those. You know that. At this point legislatures can repeal or courts can declare unconstitutional.
There are no federal red flag laws. Not Trump’s fault.

Doszap

Bloomberg’s billions have seen to that, all of them are whores.

JDL

So you haven’t followed any gun rights news, much less participated in defending and securing our rights, for 30 years because you spent the first few of those years in a remote area? Maybe, and just barely maybe, you have an excuse for not k owing at the time, but not knowing now is only because you don’t care enough to get informed and join the fight. You have no right to say anything against anyone who has put forth any effort, no matter how successful, to protect gun rights since YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR 30 YEARS!

GUNFUN

JDL, I am not sure who you are refering to.

Tionico

don’t hang your RedFlag nonsens on Trump. Those are state issues, WHERE are your state people? WHY did they let that happen?

Wild Bill

@USA, Not only vote, but take others in the car with you. As long as you are going, they may as well come along.

Wild Bill

@USA, is the faithless elector system a state system?

Doszap

It’s a WHOEVER greases their pockets deal.

JDL

Vote anyway – quit making excuses. If you don’t vote then you can be damn sure your opinion won’t count.

Doszap

SCOTUS is/was going to take up Faithless Electors, I think they have ZERO right to change the will of the votes of the people because it doesn’t fit their narrative, or beliefs.SCOTUS should make it MANDATORY the will of the People is Upheld.

RoyD

Dave: That’s alright Dave, the subconscious mind is a wonderous thing.

Wild Bill

@DW, You are playing to a tough crowd, sir!

RoyD

When I was young, and yet knew how to read, I would ask my parents about a word or about something in history. Their answer was, “Have you looked that up in the dictionary or encyclopedias yet?” It didn’t take me long to go find out for myself from a reliable source. It is also the way my two sons were raised. These days the children have the web to search for answers but they have to know the source is reliable. Self-reliance builds a hardy people.

Wild Bill

@USA, Get the Cliff’s Notes. They will save time and teach you stuff that one could never figure out on their own.

Knute

WB: Have you not figured out that the cliff notes versions of anything sucks? When I went to school my teacher spotted my cliff notes essay within the first paragraph! And gave me a well-deserved “D”.
Thusly did I learn that cliff notes are unreliable representations of the real thing. To be avoided by the serious. Good only for sheep.
But hey, that’s just me… 🙂

RoyD

Knute: That reminds me of the “well deserved D” I received from Mr. Ruger in my 12th grade Sociology class for the piece of crap I threw together at the last minute to meet a mid-termpaper requirement. I think he said, “You earned that “D” but I know you are capable of much better.” Finished out the course with a “B” and never did that again.

Wild Bill

@Knute Knute, Cliff’s Notes is an auxiliary not a substitute. I found them most helpful to understand Shakespear because the language has changed so much.

Knute

WB) That could be. I’ve just never seen them used that way. Everyone I’ve ever known reads the cliff’s and that’s it. Including me! I wouldn’t know about learning the archaic use of language. I’m the product of private religious schools. I studied the bible every day from age 6 until I quit school at 16 to get out from under the religious thumb. I’m almost more comfortable with biblical language as modern. I know, University and Enginerding? And you quit high school? LIAR! No, a non-trad. After quitting school I went the Atheism route and got a GED (99%!)… Read more »

Knute

Cliff got me a “D” in high school. I only read one more after that. I read the cliff AFTER reading the actual book. I read it critically that time, and even dumb 16 year-old me found out how that teacher knew right away that I just faked it. Because they’re full of errors and oversimplifications, that’s why! So I quit trying to fake my way through life, and decided to do the homework instead. That attitude served me well throughout Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, etc. One can’t bluff your way through the hard sciences. Science gives less than a shit… Read more »

Wild Bill

@USA, For example?

JDL

I agree – need to quit mimicking how Democrats spin everything.

Tionico

it will be better when they can be thanked for COMPREHENDING as well…..

GUNFUN

That’s racist. And I don’t mean in the way that it is cast about.

Wild Bill

@GF, Not racist, just poor logic.

Doszap

Get a CCP and NO NICS checks required.

Tionico

that only works in a diminishing number of states. SHOULD work in mine but does not. Many other states, same thing.

Doszap

In a way they are, the new forms are worse. BATF is already putting owners 4473’s into computer databases and have been for a while(which is ILLEGAL, but when did they give a crap about LEGAL).

Doszap

Will, good for you!, I used to buy and sell to individuals that had a valid Tex DL, and/or a CCP, also made them sign a Bill of sale and date it/sign it,and gave them a copy to CMA.(lessened the liability on me) But the more years that have gone by, the more litigious the society has become.So I stopped selling w/out paperwork long ago.I did not want the $$$ trail coming back to me if an individual SOLD what they bought from me, to a person of questionable character. Most of what I own is on paper to me,but… Read more »

Doszap

I am an American, I relinquish no rights, I say what I want, to whoever I want.IF they don’t like it tough sh*t.
I will never be PC nor bow the knee to any MAN.
I have done nothing to be sorry for,Ill be damned if I apologize for being White by birth, I had no choice.Also I will not play their Commie games.

GUNFUN

Colion Noir. Shame on what you wrote here Will.

JDL

Will) “The blacks don’t fill out 4473’s!” that you commented above is blatantly, undefensably racist. It removes any credibility you had. GUNFUN is simply commenting that Noir is a black who fills out 4473’s. What he didn’t mention is the fact that you are too stupid to understand how much of an idiotic fool you are making yourself out to be.

Wild Bill

@JDL, He has a pre political civil right, recognized and guaranteed by the Bill or Rights to comment as he pleases. How is that for a defense, Mr, Virtue Signaler?

Doszap

Colion has a Texas CCP, he fills out 4473’s like the rest of ALL of us, but CCP holders not have to go through the NICS system.Already have been background checked and printed.
That’s the best way to fly.

Doszap

Same thing don’t sweat the small stuff.
I watch all his vids on YT, and he lives in Dallas.

Tionico

Negros mostly steal any firearms they have! That’s a fact!

cite the data t supoort this. I do not believe it. “MOST?

Wild Bill

@GF, Social shaming … really? Who do you think that you are? You are in no position to make the judgement or execute the punishment.
And your conclusion is wrong. The First Amendment recognizes our pre political civil right to think and say what we choose.

Tionico

Hey I know whotes, blacks, mexicans, vietnamese, indian, who do not fill out 4473’s. SO WHAT? NONE of us should have to. We all look forward to the time when we don’t, AND that all the records so far illegally retained and filed are destroyed.

Wild Bill

@RoyD, Yep, sure have. Some people know that silence is golden, and some people don’t.

Wild Bill

@wjd, Come on, none of us knows what the population of blacks do.

RoyD

I remember an individual by the name of John Mosley, whom I referred to as “John Boy.” Now John Boy was Black and he was a fairly disagreeable fellow. It didn’t take much to set him off as he was a bit “touched” in the head in addition to everything else. One of his favorite sayings was, “You goin to gives me mines.”, which he would repeat about a dozen times until he could think up some other inane thing to say. Did I mention that I enjoyed retiring at the age of fifty seven. Now, almost eight years later,… Read more »

Finnky

@RoyD – Article discusses how many people said they own guns. If I lived in a high crime area where gun ownership would likely make me a target of both criminals and police – I would definitely deny having a gun to anyone possibly including household members. Personally even without those issues I wouldn’t participate in such a poll or might provide misleading statements or even just lie. Even talking to people who I know I usually avoid the topic. I am comfortable telling people I don’t own a gun, or that I have one (as in just one). Heck… Read more »

Wild Bill

@USA, “…. the same government that is burning cities, rioting in the streets, looting …” What government is doing that?

USMC0351Grunt

@USA, would you please be more specific and provide facts and evidence instead of ambiguous dribble?

Wild Bill

@USA, You wrote, “…the same government that is burning cities, ” That can not describe the government of Chicago because the government of Chicago did not burn down “cities”. Is Chicago at covert war with other cities?
What is the physical connection between the current mayoral administration of Chicago and any arson, riot, or looting in Chicago.
Lightfoot was talking about using Zoning Law bureaucrats not fire, looting, or riot.
Let us not fall prey to purveyors of dubious internet rumorists

Tionico

look BEHIND the governments of the individual cities that have been damaged. There are two organisations clearly behind the “troubles”. Both have the same parent or managing organisation. Once you have identified the two front organisationis. examie how many elected government officials have expressed their support and approval of one or both of those organisations. No Chicago did not burn Minneapolis. Those two organisations have a huge hand in the burning of those two and nearly every other one damaged in the past weeks nationwide. Look into their “background” “parent” organisation. the 501 c3 that directs and funds them both.… Read more »

Knute

WB: I would have to say that a 25 year old non-fiction book, that has been through at least four printings, with a bibliography that is a third of the book long, very heavily documented… Is a whole LOT more than an “internet rumor”! But hey, that’s just me. I’m all about logos. You can keep pathos and ethos. I’m not interested in cults of personality or the letters one might have after their name. Just the facts, Ma’am! https://www.amazon.com/Conspirators-Hierarchy-Committee-John-Coleman/dp/0922356572 But then, no one can know what a book says until they READ it. Isn’t that so? So for as… Read more »

Knute

USA: TRIPLE yep! Lots of those 300 are right on TV making no claim to deny any of the charges leveled by Coleman 25 years ago, and yet most STILL won’t bother to even read it! Too much like work I guess. Cliff notes and sound bites are too much easier, I guess. Seems pretty short sighted to me, but then I’ve always been a long distance kind of a guy. Comes from a lifetime of hunting the Montana prairies, where 300 yards is a close shot, probably. Hell, my spotting scope zooms to 80X! Can’t usually use that much… Read more »

Knute

USA: Ahhh, but the facts ARE “dribble” [sic. the word he’s presumably grasping for here is: “drivel”] to the uninformed. Those with their heads firmly buried in the sand. Which is almost everybody.

Knute

WB: The “swamp creatures” that have de facto (not de jure) taken over the U.S. The shadow government. The elite that rule from behind the scenes. AKA, the E.C.B., the B.I.S., and the federal reserve. Those who rule using the power of fiat currency that the sheeple do not understand. USA: I’ve noticed all of that. For decades now I’ve been watching the evil grow larger and larger while the sheep tell me it doesn’t exist! So that makes at least three of us (you, me, and one other person locally)! I’ve managed to wake one sheep up in twenty… Read more »