In Philadelphia’s  African American community, it feels like everyone knows someone who has been shot or has a connection to gun violence.

According to a data analysis from Brady: United Against Gun Violence, despite being roughly 14 percent of the U.S. population, Black Americans account for nearly 60 percent of firearm homicide victims every year. In Philadelphia, Black people have accounted for about 80 percent of gun homicides in recent years.

As a Black American, reading those numbers makes me uncomfortable and upset.

When we talk of solutions to the problem of violence, there are organizations locally and nationally that advocate for prevention and report data on the determinants of gun violence, but the effects of violence in real time are daunting.

What new, fresh perspectives are needed to address the issue? Perhaps we can seek ideas from Black firearm advocates.

Organizations like That Gun Talk (TGT) have partnered with The National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) to focus on firearms education, gun safety, and Second Amendment rights in the African American community. That Gun Talk hosts free online training, personal and community training, tabling for in-person conversations at block parties and events, and gun lock distributions.

By providing education and positive role models, TGT hopes to break the cycle of harm from guns and shift the discussion around guns from violence to empowerment, self-defense, and responsible ownership.

Founders of TGT, Karise Allen-Crew and her husband Jerel Crew, explain that the root causes of gun violence go beyond just access to firearms.

“Many young people grow up without proper guidance on conflict resolution, firearm safety, or the real-life consequences of gun violence being death or jail,” says Jerel Crew. “The solution isn’t isolation but education. Instead of pushing communities further into fear or misinformation, That Gun Talk teaches responsibility. That means creating safe spaces where people can learn about de-escalation techniques and the legal implications of firearm use with people that look like them and may have had to face the same struggles.”

The lack of education surrounding gun safety and firearms is alarming. Young Black men are not often taught that they can be responsible gun owners and that they have the right to self-defense.

According to a 2022 report by the 100 Shooting Review Committee, those committing violent shootings in Philadelphia skew Black, male, and range in age from 18 to 34. Furthermore, a significant number of illegal gun possession arrests disproportionately impact Black individuals, especially young people. Approximately 4 in 5 people arrested for illegal gun possession in the city are Black, and many of these arrests involve individuals carrying firearms without a license. 

Philadelphia is the only county in the state where a permit is required to “open carry” a gun. Laws that make carrying a gun harder in a predominantly Black city can result in increased rates of racial profiling of Black men and leave our community out of the conversation about gun ownership and gun reform.

That Gun Talk believes that knowledge is power, and with proper education, the negative connotations associated with Black men and firearms can be reversed.

“It’s not just about breaking stereotypes,” say Karise and Jerel. “It’s about claiming our place in the firearms community while also ensuring that future generations know their rights and responsibilities and are safe. It is necessary that people know the history behind gun ownership. We are working to change the way our community looks at firearms, taking a stand to defy the stereotypes and focus on not falling for anything, like in the famous Malcolm X quote, ‘A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.’”

Edward Onaci, founder of Higher Ed Firearm Training and Safety (HEFT Safety) and a member of That Gun Talk, says gun owners should seek education for themselves in addition to regular training.

“When thinking about safety and training, people must get [training] like CPR/First Aid and Stop the Bleed, which are free life-saving training,” says Onaci. “Someone can save someone’s life with the proper [firearms] training and community medical training. Gun ownership is a significant responsibility.”

The Crews say Black gun owners in Philadelphia take great pride in their American identity and Second Amendment rights. 

“It is almost a sacred community that we feel like we are a part of since [we] started That Gun Talk and TGT Gun Club. Gun ownership in the community extends beyond self-defense. We participate in it like it’s a sport, by going to the range, having fun shooting with a little competition involved, learning more about hunting, going to several events, and honoring responsible carry practices,” says Allen-Crew.

Jerel Crew explains, “In many ways, Black male gun owners are not just defending themselves but also reshaping the narrative around who gun owners are and what responsible ownership looks like. It’s not just about breaking a stereotype, it’s about building a new standard.”

For those looking to become more involved with gun ownership advocacy, TGT offers monthly classes for members and provides a yearly discounted membership fee for individuals under 25, encouraging younger generations to learn about responsible gun ownership early. 

“By showing up, educating, and making safety a community-wide effort, we are actively shifting the narrative and ensuring that firearm ownership is seen as a tool for empowerment and protection, not fear,” says Allen-Crew.