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This is my farewell message to friends, family and coworkers in the 2 A movement. \xa0In my twenty plus year of being in this space, I have never seen anyone actually retire. \xa0They usually die, get a mention in the NRA Rifleman, and Ammoland and that's it. \xa0Or they screw up in a media interview and get crucified by trolls and the community members that like that sort of thing. \xa0I'm trying to go out on my own terms. The world has changed since I started. \xa0A lot. \xa0Some good stuff has\xa0happened. \xa0And some bad. \xa0I used to call myself the Bill Cosby of the Gun Rights Movement. \xa0That isn't a good analogy now. \xa0And there were a couple of other guys that I grew up looking up to that have since gone down in flames. Like my wife repeatedly say, don't compare yourself to anyone, just be you. I started with nothing. \xa0I still have most of that left. \xa0 I started in 1986 wanted to be a firearms instructor for my community. \xa0I wanted to become a high paid speaker or radio personality. I wanted to \xa0leverage my creativity and entrepreneurism to become a successful business person. \xa0I became the Black Man with a Gun (BMWAG) The local DC Maryland and Virginia community wasn't ready for an under 30 \xa0year old African American firearms trainer. \xa0The government allowed me to moonlight and do this side activity but with a strict warning not to disclose my bona fides. \xa0I was watched. \xa0I was monitored. \xa0I had to ask permission before I traveled. \xa0When I appeared before the public they thought, how could I know anything? \xa0How dare I talk about guns when there was the so called black on black crime, police shootings, and drug wars going on. \xa0I got beat up a lot at ranges, gun shops and churches where I \xa0tried to advertise. \xa0But I became involved in the gun community/ gun rights when I failed to make money as a trainer/instructor in 1987. \xa0Gun rights activism doesn't make money if you are honest.\xa0 Since then I have been involved in the gun debate, as it intersects firearms instruction and civil rights. \xa0I created the Tenth Cavalry Gun Club in 1991 that grew from Washington, DC, Baltimore, NJ and Illinois. \xa0The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, introduced me the show business of politics and I worked with to the NRA, GOA and SAF. The website Black Man with a Gun debuted in 1999. \xa0I've been involved in US Supreme Court cases we have won for the 2nd Amendment even if my name isn't on it. I learned more about myself than anything doing this stuff I had a training business, where I provided instruction and certifications in first aid, armed security and tactics. \xa0I failed in business but I pressed onward. I started before social media and looking back I could have been a boss with that thing but I didn't. I reached out to all the so called black leaders and announced my intentions in the gun world. \xa0It was risky because historically, this same leaders are anti-gun. \xa0But I went there. \xa0I tried to buy a shooting range. \xa0I got blasted by Rev Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, and local pastors.\xa0 I created a podcast in 2007 and I was embraced by the people black people said I should beware of. \xa0The demographic that loved the BMWAG were the same folks that are accused of racism, cronyism, and supremacy. \xa0White males were calling me brother. \xa0They were listening to my shows. \xa0They were inviting me and my family to events across the country. \xa0I shot historical firearms in Tennessee. \xa0I ate at the homes of millionaires, in country clubs, and places in Washington DC I didn't know black people were allowed in. \xa0I learned that our country likes being divisive. \xa0I learned that racism exist mostly because people need it as an excuse. \xa0I learned that organizations really don't want change. \xa0I learned that people like mess, and drama. \xa0I learned that I was a conservative. \xa0 What I enjoyed I loved meeting people like you. I loved shooting exotic and new firearms. I loved championing the cause of freedom. \xa0I loved being the Black Man with a Gun. \xa0I loved mixing faith and firearms. \xa0I loved being the pastor of patriots, pistoleros and paladins. \xa0I loved writing but podcasting was my jam. \xa0I loved and hoped that one day I would make enough money to quit my day job. \xa0That didn't happen by the way. \xa0I learned that my faith has sustained me. \xa0I learned that my unique position has saved lives. But it has had its bad side too. \xa0I've spent too much money learning, and chasing influencers. \xa0I filed bankruptcy along this journey. I'm ok now but I learned a lot by my mistakes. \xa0My wisdom came at a price. \xa0I almost lost my wife on this journey. \xa0I almost got kicked out of two churches from being pro-gun. \xa0I lost positions, promotions and opportunities at my old government job because of my pro-gun activities. \xa0It came at a cost.\xa0 \xa0 Memories 1. \xa0 \xa0Civil rights award from the NRA for bringing the Eddie Eagle program to Washington DC in a big way. 2. \xa0 \xa0St Gabriel Possenti award from the Gun Dean, John Synder at the Second Amendment Foundation 3. \xa0 \xa0Creating the tenth cavalry gun Club and getting the club to shoot at the NRA range when it was brand new 4. \xa0 \xa0Meeting Charlton Heston and getting Christmas cards from him for a few years 5. \xa0 \xa0Being the chaplain of the LEAA 6. \xa0 \xa0Being a part of the concealed carry reforms across the US 7. \xa0 \xa0Testifying in VA, TX, MI, WI and SC legislative houses 8. \xa0 \xa0Interviewing the Gunny, Lee Ermey, Wayne LaPierre, befriending a rabbi \xa0like Dovid and connecting with my Jewish brethren 9. \xa0 \xa0Speaking in front of 20K in Albany NY 10. \xa0 \xa0Meeting Donald Trump and getting a selfie in NY 11. \xa0 \xa0Publishing two three books related to the my journey and the 2nd amendment 12. \xa0 \xa0Creating a website in 1999 and trademarking the name bmwag 13. \xa0 \xa0Being mentioned in a movie, pros and Cons. 14. \xa0 \xa0Getting a chance to audition for a pilot show on Spike TV 15. \xa0 \xa0Podcasting for 12 years, 630+ episodes, sharing American history, and introducing new generations to things they may have missed. 16. \xa0 \xa0Working with over 12 industry companies and getting sponsored by Crossbreed holsters and USCCA 17. \xa0 \xa0Interviewing over 100 historical people for the podcast \xa0 I created a IG post that alerted my friends that I was retiring. \xa0It made me sad even though I am smiling in the picture. \xa0How do you retire? \xa0I'm making it up as I go. \xa0I have never been here before but I know it is a nice thing to let folks know of your intentions. \xa0Like anyone, I thought about all the things I did that didn't succeed. \xa0I started dwelling on it and had to break out the ice cream. \xa0If you feel bad, eat a little ice cream. I learned that from my dad. \xa0Not too much or you will look like you are always sad. \xa0 Why am I leaving? When I got started in 2000 as the BMWAG, it was tongue in cheek. \xa0It was my version of a shock jock. \xa0I did it with all the intentions of being replaced by many untraditional firearms instructors, activist and clubs. \xa0We have that. \xa0I personally know of Spanish speakers, LGBT, African Americans, disabled vets and boat loads of women involved now. \xa0I've been the go to guy media for law enforcement issues in the black community, religion and guns and veterans issues as it relates to guns. \xa0Most of the time, after a tragedy. Not good times. \xa0There have been almost a steady flow of tragedy to respond to. \xa0If you know the media game, if you sound reasonable, truthful and not bombastic your contribution will not be used. \xa0I think I might get the reward for the most media nobody but the editor as seen. I'm tired of that. It took me awhile to learn the game of hyperbole. \xa0On a good day, I can crank it out like the best of them. \xa0But it's not my style. \xa0Over the years I have learned that I am not the loudest, nor the most controversial voice out there. \xa0I started focusing on taking care of the second amendment first responders instead. \xa0And I still will. \xa0I care about you, your family and where you are going. \xa0 I learned you need a team to succeed. \xa0You can be one dude on a mission as I have been. \xa0You have to learn how to delegate. \xa0You have to inspire folks to work for you for nothing until you can pay them. \xa0I didn't manage that.\xa0 Since 2007, I have been producing digital content. \xa0The Lord has allowed me to create, practice narration, speak and presenting online. I was intimately involved in the gun debate, US Constitutional issues and social causes. \xa0And with that I am well known among the gray beards. \xa0This fight is evergreen. I believe that this season of my life is ending and that I am to move on to the next. \xa0I want to entertain. Teach and continue doing the needful on the sidelines. \xa0My best work and most of my accomplishments are not online. \xa0I have changed minds. \xa0I have saved families. I have helped veterans. \xa0I have been a brother to those in need. \xa0I have helped mothers, grandmothers and children. \xa0 So how do you retire on your own terms? I figured my first step was in letting my friends know of my intentions so it doesn't catch them off guard. Decrease my expenses. \xa0Live modestly. \xa0Love unconditionally. \xa0Continue to help my fellowman. \xa0I am still pro-gun, pro-rights and pro-life - my life. If you want to find me, I will still be online, shooting recreationally, still be singing, playing the blues, riding my motorcycle, preaching the gospel, smiling and praising my God. I thank all of you that have been rolling with this brother since the beginning. \xa0I thank you for listening, downloading and subscribing to the podcast. \xa0I thank those that reached out when they saw my IG or Facebook and checked on a brother. \xa0It wasn't a lot of you but I noticed who you were. Means I picked the right ones to call friend. \xa0 Special thanks and much appreciation to the Crossbreed Holsters Company and family. \xa0We connected early and even after the passing of Mark, we stayed connected. \xa0Carol has been a blessing. Tim Schmidt of USCCA has been instrumental in my success too. \xa0He was a sponsor of my podcast and 2A work long before anyone knew what social media was. \xa0He has moved on and grown his