We Da People Podcast

What does real community look like in the firearms space, and why does it matter now more than ever? In this episode of We Da People, we sit down with Phillip Smith of NAAGA to talk about Black gun ownership, firearms training, preparedness, safety, and advocacy from a community-first perspective.

This conversation digs into why representation matters in the 2A space and why getting more Black families comfortable with firearms, emergency preparedness, and legal awareness is so important. We talk about how NAGA helps beginners get started, creates a low barrier to entry for new shooters, and builds confidence through training, competition, and support.

We also get into emergency planning, the rise of neighborhood preparedness groups, why communications matter in a crisis, and how advocacy connects directly to gun rights. From new shooters to experienced carriers, this episode is about building real knowledge, real skill, and real community.

In this episode, we cover:
- What NAGA is and who it serves
- Why Black gun ownership and training matte
- How beginners can get started safely
- The value of competition for new shooters
- Emergency preparedness and neighborhood support
- Why safe storage and gun responsibility matter
- Legal advocacy and protecting gun rights
- How to plug into a like-minded community

Key takeaway: Training, preparedness, and community are stronger when people feel seen, supported, and equipped to grow.

Can you train for a gunfight, or is it all chaos the moment it’s real? In this episode of We Da People, we sit down with a retired Special Forces warrant officer turned DoD contractor to cut through the internet talk and get honest about what actually matters when rounds are coming back at you. We dig into the difference between Special Forces vs Special Operations, and why that distinction matters for how people think about mission sets, training, and capability. From there, the conversation goes where most podcasts won’t: fear in real combat, what training does (and does not) prepare you for, and why “the enemy always has a vote” is not just a cool line, it’s the truth. Then we shift into the part every everyday carrier, vet, and family man needs to hear: how trauma stacks up, how PTSD can hit years later, and why therapy is not weakness, especially in communities where people were taught to “just handle it.” We also talk life, parenting, road rage, and what maturity really looks like when your pride gets tested. In this episode we cover:

Can you train for a gunfight, yes or no

Why you fall to your lowest level of training

Why the basics and reps matter most

Real talk on fear, killing, and the mental aftermath

PTSD, therapy, and getting help without shame

Parenting, bullying, and choosing the high road

*Key takeaway:* Train the basics hard, and take your mental health just as seriously as your skill set.

We Da People Crew sits down with retired Green Beret Ren Ligon to cut through the fantasy and talk real-world context: what actually matters for everyday carry, practical training, and staying alive in civilian self-defense situations. From the difference between combat missions and “gunfighter” talk, to why comfort and consistency beat hype, Rafi breaks down what people get wrong about gear, mindset, and the reality of violence. They get into the stuff most people avoid: why carrying too much can be a liability, how “operator cosplay” misses the point, and why civilians can’t map military rules of engagement 1-to-1 onto real life. Rafi also gives blunt advice for new gun owners: rent, shoot, learn your hands/body, and stop taking guidance from the loudest friend who “can’t shoot either.” In this episode we cover:

Civilian vs combat rules of engagement (and what gets you jailed)

EDC choices: comfort, concealment, and consistency

Testing your kit: mobility, retention, and access under stress

Training rehearsal: weak-hand work, rain, flinch control

Why “more mags” isn’t automatically smarter

Picking your first firearm: rent, compare, and get coached

Community unity and responsible gun culture

Ren Ligon:   / ren_ligon

Dating is already complicated—now add concealed carry, a digital footprint full of firearms content, and the reality that safety is always part of the conversation. In this episode of We Da People Podcast, we sit down with Amber G. Johnson (firearms instructor ) to talk about what dating looks like inside the 2A community—especially from a woman’s perspective. We break down the unspoken rules: when to disclose you carry, why “let’s go to the range” isn’t automatically a date, and how compatibility isn’t about politics—it’s about maturity, stability, and respect. We also get real about the uncomfortable side of firearms culture: women showing up to train after a scary experience… and then running into predatory behavior from people who should be professionals. From instructor boundaries (“ask before touching”) to why your behavior shouldn’t change based on the student’s gender, this is a conversation every responsible gun owner needs to hear. In this episode we cover:

Dating in the 2A community and “gun owner compatibility”

Concealed carry dating: when to tell someone you carry

Why some women keep carry private for safety reasons

Red flags at the range and unprofessional instructor behavior

Carry options for women (on-body vs off-body, wardrobe reality)

Edge/knife training and why pressure-testing matters

What “responsible ownership” looks like (even down to calibers)

What makes women actually feel welcome and respected in the gun community—and what pushes them away before training even starts?

In this episode, Shelton and the crew sit down with Amber G. Johnson to break down the real, practical ways men and instructors can create a better training environment for women—without being performative or awkward. This is a conversation about tone, ego, trauma-informed instruction, and cultural competency, and why those factors matter as much as marksmanship.

We cover:

Why instructors should check their motivations and ask women for honest feedback
Common range turn-offs: yelling, embarrassment, over-correction, and “ego trips”
How to build a welcoming brand that women actually trust
The importance of trauma-informed training and avoiding “gun as savior” messaging
How “standard curriculum” can unintentionally reinforce profiling and stereotypes
Teaching situational awareness without labeling fashion, race, or “a hoodie” as a threat
Why respect (including language and pronouns) is a business and leadership issue, not a trend

If you’re a firearms instructor, a training-minded shooter, or someone trying to bring more women into the range and self-defense space, this episode gives clear action items you can apply immediately.