Creating a Safe Space for All: The Story of CMAG Safety & Defense and Equal Aim Gun Club

When Cathy and I started our journey into firearm ownership, we never imagined it would lead us here—to building CMAG Safety & Defense and Equal Aim Gun Club. But life has a way of showing you where you're needed, and for us, that meant creating a space where everyone—no matter who they are—can learn, train, and grow in confidence when it comes to self-defense.

The Struggle to Find Our Place in the Firearms World

Cathy and I are both African American women, business owners, and most importantly, life partners. We’ve been married for over 15 years, and throughout our journey together, we’ve learned that representation matters in everything—including firearm training and ownership.

When we first decided to take firearm safety seriously, we quickly realized that finding a place where we felt welcome wasn’t easy. Walking into a gun range, we often got looks—sometimes curious, sometimes skeptical, and sometimes outright dismissive. Many spaces weren’t openly hostile, but they also weren’t inviting. It was clear that in many places, people like us—Black women, a married lesbian couple—were seen as outsiders.

But the challenge wasn’t just about us. Our family is diverse in every sense of the word. We are gay, trans, straight, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Atheist, Buddhist—we span genders, races, and backgrounds. Black, white, Asian, Latino—you name it, we are it. And while we may not all be related by blood, we are family.

We wanted a place where our entire family—our entire community—could learn to protect themselves without judgment. But that place didn’t exist. So, we built it.

The Birth of CMAG Safety & Defense

We started CMAG Safety & Defense LLC with one goal in mind: to create a safe, welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds can learn self-defense and firearm safety. Our training isn’t just about hitting targets—it’s about empowerment.

• We believe everyone deserves to feel safe.

• We believe self-defense is a right, not a privilege reserved for certain groups.

• We believe that safety and security should not be dictated by race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Through CMAG Safety & Defense, we train individuals and families, in firearm safety, personal protection, emergency preparedness, and home defense planning. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to refine your skills, we meet you where you are. No judgment. No assumptions. Just education and empowerment.

Equal Aim Gun Club: A Community Unlike Any Other

CMAG Safety & Defense was just the beginning. We quickly realized that people didn’t just need training—they needed community. That’s how Equal Aim Gun Club was born.

Equal Aim is more than just a gun club—it’s a movement. It’s a place where people from all walks of life can come together to train, support each other, and break down the barriers that have long divided the firearm community.

In our club, you’ll find:

• A welcoming, inclusive atmosphere—No matter who you are, you belong here.

• A commitment to education—We teach responsible gun ownership, safety, and situational awareness.

• A diverse membership—You’ll train alongside people of different races, genders, religions, and backgrounds, just like the real world.

Why This Matters to Us

For Cathy and me, this isn’t just about firearms—it’s about breaking down barriers and redefining what a "gun owner" looks like.

Too often, firearm spaces feel exclusive—not built for people like us. But safety and self-defense should never be limited to a select few. We all have the right to protect ourselves and our families, and we should all have access to the education, training, and community needed to do so.

We didn’t see a space that represented us, so we built it. And we’re inviting you to be a part of it.

Join Us—Train With Us—Be Part of the Movement

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in traditional firearm spaces, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why CMAG Safety & Defense and Equal Aim Gun Club exist—to give ALL people a place to learn, train, and grow with confidence.

Whether you’re new to firearms or a seasoned shooter looking for a community that truly welcomes everyone, we invite you to join us.

Come train with us at CMAG Safety & Defense. Learn firearm safety, defensive shooting, and personal protection in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Join Equal Aim Gun Club. Be part of a community that stands for diversity, education, and empowerment in firearm ownership.

Your safety matters. Your rights matter. And most importantly, you matter.

Come train with us. Come build with us. Let’s create a safer, stronger community together.