Our Mission & Values
United In Defense is dedicated to the highest quality of firearm safety training, delivered with energy intellect, and strength. We value safety, knowledge, and unity. Our goal is to bring unity through educating the community on their 2A rights and gun ownership and safety
Educating and breaking stigmas in urban communities.
— LISWA, Founder
I’daysha otherwise known as Liswa is the Founder and CEO of United In Defense, and a Licensed NRA FireArm Instructor. With 5 years of firearm experience, Liswa is here to ensure that you are properly equipped with the basic fundamentals and safety training associated with operating and owning a firearm. Liswa is certified in NRA pistol and rifle instructor training and is also a certified trained instructor in over 30 states. Safety knowledge of firearms is her key goal. In high school, she loved going airsofting with her AEG steel M4. As she got older, her love for firearms and the range grew. She fell in love with the knowledge of how to safely operate a firearm, and knowing she had the right to protect herself, and family, if needed. She followed her passion and began training to become an NRA instructor in 2020. She was 1 of 3 black women in her training class and they were the only women. Since her class, she has made it her mission to not only train and educate as many people as she can, but to be able to give women inclusive, unbiased, and relatable training. Liswa created this firearm academy with education and unity in mind. Her passion is to educate the community on the safety and responsibilities of being a firearm owner and their 2nd amendment rights. She wants to break stigmas related to firearms and the African American community by offering the highest quality of firearm safety training, and she will!
EDUCATE EMPOWER UNITE THROUGH FIREARM KNOWLEDGE, FIREARM SAFETY, & GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ~ LISWA
2nd Amendment and DC History
The 2nd Amendment was passed in 1789 and ratified in 1791. It gives and protects your right to bear arms and protect yourself. Up until the 1960’s, there were no strict gun laws. Gun laws came into play in the 1960’s due to the Government wanting to prevent the Black Panther Party and other African Americans from bearing arms. DC in particular was restricted from having firearms in 1976. Congress took away DC resident’s rights to acquire handguns in a 12-1 Vote (DC needs to be a State so pressure Congress to pass the HR 51 bill)
In 2003 Parker VS DC – DC was sued for the banning of keeping handguns at home.
In 2007 Heller VS DC – DC circuit court found the firearm restriction law unconstitutional
There were 2 more Heller Cases afterward II, III, up until September 18, 2015 when DC Courts found the regulations on firearms unconstitutional.
In 2014 July Palmer Vs DC – DC Court found the ban on open concealed carry unconstitutional. However, during the same time they created the “Good Reason Law”
The “Good Reason Law” placed in regulations that made it harder for DC residents to get a firearm. Some of the regulations were:
1. Reregistration every 3 years
2. Not being able to register more than 1 firearm a month
3. Required to pass a written exam before registering
4. Firearm inspection
5. If getting a shotgun you need 2 licensed firearm witnesses
In 2015 Wrenn Vs DC The “Good Reason Law” was found unconstitutional
In 2017 Grace VS DC got rid of “good reason” altogether.
The new regulations are that applicants need to pass a background check and complete training.
DC Residence suffered a 40 year loss to the natural alienated right to bear firearms.
Even now congress has created the DC Red Flag law in 2018 – Removing firearms from “potentially dangerous individuals”
DC needs to be a State, so pressure Congress to pass the HR 51 bill