| National African American Gun Association | |
| Membership: | 45,000+[1] |
| Leader Title: | Founder |
| Leader Name: | Philip Smith |
| Leader Title2: | Vice President |
| Leader Name2: | Douglas Jefferson[2] |
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]
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]