We’re prioritizing building a strong foundation for this
movement, and that means some of the bells and whistles
will come later. We appreciate your patience as we refine,
expand, and update. In the meantime, the mission continues.

For updates, Use our membership form to sign up, Find us on
Discord, follow us on Instagram & linkedin, or reach out
directly.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and stay
empowered.

The Empowerment Defense Network (EDN)
is a movement redefining the role of
firearms in America.

For too long, progressive voices in the
gun debate have been dismissed as naïve,
out of touch, or overly idealistic. We
are pushed out of conversations and
culture that impact our own safety.

Our approach to firearms isn’t working
and hasn’t been for over 30 years.

America’s entrenched gun culture and rising
political instability demand that we engage
with the issue on new terms.

To advocate for change, we must embrace a
new strategy, one that acknowledges the
reality of gun ownership while advancing
principles of safety, equity, and
accountability.

EDN bridges this gap by actively educating and
empowering individuals who have historically
been excluded from or hesitant about gun
culture.

Through education, training, and advocacy, we
equip people to become responsible firearm
owners while advancing policies that
prioritize safety and justice.

Gun ownership in America has long been tied to a single image: one political ideology,
one demographic, one rigid definition of who a gun owner is. EDN is here to change
that. We equip individuals, especially those historically excluded from firearm
access, with the tools, training, and knowledge to take ownership of their safety.

Through firearm safety workshops, legal resources and education, and community
discussions, EDN creates a new, narrative, one where responsible gun ownership is
about protection and empowerment, not fear or oppression.

Gun ownership comes with responsibility, and EDN members are committed to policies
that prioritize public safety while protecting the rights of responsible firearm
owners. We advocate for policies like universal background checks, secure storage
laws, and mandatory safety training.

These common-sense measures ensure that the right to bear arms is exercised
safely, equitably, and without reinforcing systemic injustice. Gun ownership and
public safety can and must coexist, and EDN is here to ensure they do.

The Empowerment Defense Network emerged from the urgent need for
progressives to engage in the gun education and ownership conversation,
especially as authoritarianism and fascism continue to rise.

EDN’s mission goes beyond addressing individual rights. It’s about building a
space of collective strength, fostering education and resilience, and
reclaiming the narrative around firearms as a force for empowerment.

While some organizations advocate for gun ownership with altier motives, EDN
takes a different stance: we emphasize gun ownership as a form of collective
action, viewing Community defense as self-defense. particularly for groups
historically oppressed by america’s current gun culture.

EDN does not align with gun-rights organizations that prioritize corporate
interests over public safety. We also do not align with groups that focus
solely on firearm restrictions without addressing the broader power
dynamics of gun control and culture. We are a community-driven movement
guided by a commitment to both safety and equity.

We stand for responsible, Equitable gun ownership that prioritizes education,
community empowerment, and accountability.

For too long, the image of a "responsible gun
owner" has followed the same predictable
script: old school, one-note, and rarely
leaving room for anyone who doesn’t fit the
mold.

EDN is here to broaden that image because gun
advocacy, safety, and ownership isn’t
monolithic and shouldn’t belong to just one
demographic. We refuse to let a single faction
colonize the Constitution.

By reclaiming the Second Amendment as a progressive value, EDN
challenges outdated narratives and ensures that gun ownership is
recognized as a right, a tool for empowerment, and a responsibility that
belongs to all who seek safety, equity, and justice.

The Problem: Gun ownership has been shaped by reactionary rhetoric and
division, leaving progressives largely absent from the conversation. Without a
clear counter-narrative, firearm ownership has been framed as a conservative
or militarized issue rather than a tool for community empowerment and self-
defense.

Our Goal: Redefine gun ownership as a means of protection, equity, and
empowerment, particularly for disenfranchised communities and those who
have traditionally turned away from gun ownership.

What We’re Doing

• Developing firearm education initiatives for grassroots organizers and
  individuals.
• Emphasizing community safety strategies and the role of firearms in self-
  defense.
• Shifting the narrative to showcase the faces of progressive gun ownership.

The Problem: The U.S. lacks consistent safety standards, universal
background checks, and mandatory training, leading to preventable gun
violence, accidents, and misuse. These gaps are often politicized, leaving
communities at risk.

Our Goal: Establish accountability and safety-first firearm ownership as the
norm.

What we’re doing

• Advocating for universal background checks and mandatory safety
  training.
• Hosting workshops on safe storage, legal responsibilities, and firearm
  handling.
• Collaborating with policymakers to prioritize prevention over punishment.

The Problem: School gun violence has reached crisis levels, yet arming
teachers and reactionary policies fail to address the root causes. Without

comprehensive safety plans, students and educators remain vulnerable.

Our Goal: Protect students and educators with proactive policies prioritizing
safety, not escalation.

What We’re Doing

• Supporting legislation for safe firearm storage and restricted access in
  schools.
• Opposing armed teacher policies, advocating for mental health and
  community support services, and de-escalation strategies instead.
• Providing community-based education on school safety and responsible
  gun ownership.

The Problem: Gun control has historically been weaponized against Black
communities, from post-Civil War Black Codes to the disarmament of the
Black Panther Party. These policies have left Black Americans
disproportionately vulnerable to violence while being criminalized for
firearm ownership.

Our Goal: Ensure that Black communities have full access to their Second

Amendment rights and the ability to defend themselves legally and safely.

What we’re doing

• Educating on the racist history of gun control policies.
• Providing legal resources, training, and financial support for safe gun
  ownership.
• Advocating for equitable firearm policies that remove systemic barriers
  and overzealous sentencing.

survivors.

• Supporting intersectional trans-inclusive feminist initiatives that view
  firearms as part of a broader strategy for empowerment.

The Problem: LGBTQia+ individuals, particularly the trans community, face
increasing violence, hate crimes, and systemic barriers to self-defense. Many
gun rights conversations exclude the LGBTQia+ community despite their urgent
need for protection.

Our Goal: Ensure LGBTQia+ individuals have equal access to firearm ownership,
education, and legal protections while advocating for policies prioritizing
their safety.

What We’re Doing

• Providing self-defense training and resources tailored to LGBTQia+ firearm
  owners.
• Building partnerships with LGBTQia+ organizations to expand training and
  safety initiatives.
• Pushing for anti-hate crime legislation that includes firearm ownership
  protections.
• Amplifying the voices of LGBTQia+ gun owners to combat stigma and exclusion.

The Problem: Anti-Asian hate crimes have surged in recent years, leaving AAPI
communities disproportionately at risk. Many AAPI individuals are
underrepresented in firearm ownership and self-defense conversations,
creating barriers to access and safety resources.

Our Goal: Ensure AAPI communities have the education, resources, and support
they need to make informed self-defense and community safety decisions.

What We’re Doing

• Providing firearm safety training to AAPI communities navigating increased
  threats.
• Partnering with AAPI advocacy groups to develop community defense
  initiatives
• Addressing potential language and cultural barriers in firearm education
  to make self-defense more accessible.

We recognize that different communities have unique relationships with self-
defense, security, and firearm ownership, shaped by history, religion, culture,
and lived experience. Below, we describe how we support diverse communities
in navigating self-defense, protection, and security in ways that align with
their needs, values, and lived realities.

We stand in solidarity with Jewish and Muslim communities facing rising hate
crimes and targeted violence. While many within these faith traditions hold
deep religious and cultural ties to peace, self-defense and community
protection remain essential in times of crisis. EDN offers security and safety
training for places of worship, supports legal education on self-defense
rights, and partners with interfaith organizations to promote nonviolent
safety strategies and preparedness.

Immigrants and refugees often face heightened risks of violence, xenophobia,
and systemic barriers to safety, yet many are excluded from firearm
ownership due to legal restrictions or fear of harsher penalties. EDN
focuses on non-firearm self-defense strategies, legal education, and
community-based security resources to help immigrant communities navigate
safety concerns without increasing their vulnerability to criminalization or
deportation. We plan to work with advocacy groups, legal experts, and
community organizations to ensure that safety remains accessible and
equitable, regardless of immigration status.

Indigenous peoples have long fought for sovereignty, self-determination,
and protection against state violence. While many Indigenous nations and
spiritual traditions emphasize balance and nonviolence, we also acknowledge
the historical and present-day need for self-defense in the face of land
dispossession, environmental violence, and systemic neglect. EDN works to
support Indigenous communities with resources tailored to tribal
governance, safety, and firearm access where needed while respecting
cultural perspectives on protection.

This is not an exhaustive list. We welcome members of communities that need

access, education, or advocacy. Your safety and sovereignty matter whether
you want to learn about firearm ownership, secure legal protections, or find
alternative safety strategies that align with your values.

As EDN grows, so will our database of gun ownership laws, safety guides, and
community resources. Right now, we're starting with the DMV (D.C., Maryland,
Virginia) area to ensure those in the nations capital have clear, accessible
information about legal firearm ownership.

Whether you're buying your first firearm, registering one you already own, or
figuring out what to do with an inherited gun, we’re here to simplify the

process and equip you with the knowledge you need.

In the meantime Stay tuned! we’ll be expanding this guide to cover more states
as our movement grows. Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover
next? Let us know.

Ensuring your firearm is legally registered in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and
Virginia is essential for responsible gun ownership. below is a
straightforward guide for each jurisdiction.

Registration of Existing Firearms:

• Mandatory Registration: All firearms in D.C. must be registered with the
  Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
• Steps to Register:
  1. Complete Application: Fill out the Application for Firearms Registration
     Certificate (PD-219).
  2. Provide Documentation: Submit proof of D.C. residency, photo
     identification, and evidence of firearm safety training.

• • C. Fingerprinting and Fees: Undergo fingerprinting and pay associated fees.

D. Await Approval: MPD will notify you upon approval.

Bringing Firearms from Other States:

• Immediate Registration: If you bring a firearm into D.C., you must file a
  registration application immediately upon arrival.

Inherited Firearms:

• Standard Registration Process: Inherited firearms must be registered
  following the same procedure as other firearms.

Registration of Existing Firearms:

• Voluntary Registration: Maryland does not mandate registration of most
  firearms. However, if you choose to register:
  • Complete Application: Fill out the Maryland State Police Application and
    Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R).
  • Submit Through Portal: Use the Licensing Portal to submit your
    application.

Bringing Firearms from Other States:

• No Mandatory Registration: Firearms legally owned in another state can
  be brought into Maryland without registration.

Inherited Firearms:

• Transfer Requirements: Inherited regulated firearms require the
  completion of Form 77R within five days of transfer.

This resource is for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.

Gun ownership comes with profound responsibility. At EDN, we believe that
responsible firearm ownership must be paired with safeguards like universal
background checks, secure storage laws, and mandatory safety training to

prevent accidents, unauthorized use, and mass shootings. These measures are
not just practical. They are essential to building trust and accountability in
gun ownership, reclaiming the Second Amendment, and creating a safer
America.

Unlike popular “pro-gun” groups that have long prioritized the interests of
gun manufacturers over the safety of communities, EDN is a pro-safety
organization that puts people first. Our focus is on ownership, education, and
common-sense regulation to ensure that firearm access is safe, responsible,
and driven by the need to protect communities, not corporate interests or
political extremes. We aim to demonstrate that supporting the right to bear
arms is possible s while championing policies prioritizing public safety and
community empowerment.

The Second Amendment belongs to everyone, not just those who have
traditionally dominated the conversation. For too long, gun control has
been used as a tool of exclusion and oppression, restricting firearm access
for Black communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and other oppressed and

disenfranchised groups while protecting the rights of a select few.

EDN is here to change that narrative. Reclaiming the Second Amendment means
restoring its original intent as a safeguard against government oppression,
ensuring that firearm ownership is a tool for empowerment, not a privilege
reserved for the few. This is about equitable access, informed ownership, and
the right to self-defense regardless of race, gender, or identity. The fight
for gun rights cannot be separated from the fight for justice, safety, and
true autonomy.

At EDN, self-defense is more than an individual right; it is a collective
responsibility. We envision a society where communities work together to
protect one another, standing united against systemic threats. This is
especially vital for groups facing structural violence, including Black and
Brown individuals, the LGBTQ+ community, and women experiencing intimate
partner violence.

Traditional gun advocacy often focuses solely on self-defense as a
personal right, but EDN expands the conversation to include community
defense, the idea that true security comes from building networks of
protection, solidarity, and preparedness.

Self-Defense vs. Community Defense

Self-defense is an individual’s right and ability to protect themselves from
harm. This includes understanding firearm safety, knowing and understanding
legal responsibilities, and being prepared to act in life-threatening
situations. EDN provides training, education, and advocacy to ensure members
become responsible, empowered gun owners.

Community defense, however, ensures that entire communities—particularly
those historically targeted by violence and systemic oppression—have the
tools and support to protect themselves collectively. This includes:

• • Organizing firearm education programs tailored to communities
    historically excluded from gun ownership and safety training, ensuring
    they have the knowledge and access needed for responsible self-
    defense.
  • Promoting secure and responsible gun ownership within vulnerable
    populations
  • Advocating for policies that protect the right to bear arms while
    ensuring public safety
  • Strengthening local networks for mutual protection against systemic
    threats and rising authoritarianism and fascism.

tools and resources to protect themselves collectively. This includes:

• • Organizing firearm education programs tailored to communities
    historically excluded from gun ownership and safety training, ensuring
    they have the knowledge and access needed for responsible self-
    defense.
  • Promoting secure and responsible gun ownership within vulnerable
    populations
  • Advocating for policies that protect the right to bear arms while
    ensuring public safety
  • Strengthening local networks for mutual protection against systemic
    threats and rising authoritarianism and fascism.

The current political landscape, marked by the rise of authoritarian
ideologies and regressive policies, underscores the urgent need for
progressives to engage in gun debates. These challenges demand preparation,
solidarity, and proactive action. EDN’s work is rooted in the belief that the
right to self-defense is not theoretical. It’s an immediate and necessary
response to threats against justice and equality.

By combining education, hands-on training, and targeted advocacy, EDN equips
individuals and communities to respond to the evolving political landscape
while reclaiming the right to self-defense as a progressive value.

• Educational Resources: We provide accessible materials that break down
  state and federal gun laws, helping individuals understand their rights and
  responsibilities. These resources are tailored to highlight the unique
  challenges and opportunities within different political landscapes.
• Workshops and Training: EDN offers both virtual and in-person workshops
  on firearm safety, self-defense, and responsible gun ownership. These
  sessions are designed to foster informed, confident, and empowered gun
  owners across all communities.
• Advocacy Efforts: Through grassroots advocacy, EDN works to influence
  policies at local, state, and federal levels. We aim to reshape the
  narrative around gun ownership and safety for progressives by organizing
  community-led campaigns, town halls, and lobbying efforts. By combining
  education, hands-on training, and targeted advocacy, EDN equips
  individuals and communities to respond to the evolving political landscape
  while reclaiming the right to self-defense as a progressive value.

In a world where violence, extremism, and systemic oppression put vulnerable

communities at risk, community defense is essential. EDN is here to ensure
self-defense isn’t monopolized by those who seek to oppress while advancing
a responsible, safety-driven approach to firearm ownership.

Gun ownership shouldn’t be a tool of fear or division; it should be about
protection, empowerment, and collective resilience. A truly just approach to
firearm access means centering community, inclusivity, and safety, ensuring
that those who have been left out of the conversation have the knowledge
and resources to protect themselves and each other. We’re not just
changing the gun debate. We’re building a future where self-defense is a
shared responsibility, and everyone can be safe.

For updates, Use our membership form to sign up,

find us on Discord, Instagram, and LInkedin, or
reach out directly.

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