By Jenni Fink
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In the aftermath of rapper Nipsey Hussle's killing, Maj Toure, the founder of Black Guns Matter, urged people to learn about conflict resolution, saying it could have prevented Hussle's slaying.
Hussle, 33, was fatally shot on Sunday outside his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department asked for the public's help in locating the suspect, Eric Holder, 29.
While little information has been released about the shooting, Toure told Newsweek that the motive is irrelevant and that without conflict resolution skills, more lives could be lost.
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"It's still a prominent figure in the black community, who's doing the right thing in the black community, that was murdered," Toure said. "That clearly tells me that there needs to be a serious issue still in urban American about conflict resolution."
Part of Toure's work with Black Guns Matter is speaking at nationwide seminars about safe firearms knowledge, the Second Amendment and how to resolve issues in a constructive way. On April 19 and 20, the organization is hosting two free classes in Compton and Inglewood, less than 30 miles from where Hussle was shot.
Based on the limited information available, Hussle's death could "absolutely" have been preventable, Toure said, had conflict resolution been a more significant discussion topic in urban America,
"If this was expressed more instead of the highlight of shooting somebody because of a disagreement as being the 'way of the man.' Because it's not. That's the way of a coward. Firearms are a way to protect life, not to take life," Toure said*.* "I think that if this is something that was made more prominent, we might have saved a good man."
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The concepts of walking away and taking a moment to think may seem basic and even cheesy, but they're two tactics Toure teaches because they can change the course of a person's life. Before reacting, he encourages people to ask, "Is this important?" and consider life in a jail cell, because shooting someone comes with consequences.
"The ability to take a moment and reflect is damn near a superpower," Toure explained. "Just slowing down and not reacting before thinking. That's the cornerstone of good conflict resolution."
Along with teaching techniques to de-escalate a situation, the Black Guns Matter founder encouraged a narrative shift. Instead of firearms being a sign of masculinity, they should be seen in the same light as a tool in a tool shed. They're used for an intended purpose, which Toure identified as shooting sports and saving lives.
"We carry a firearm for the same reason a police officer carries a firearm. Saying that to urban America, saying that to those spaces, definitely changes that narrative to a more safe and responsible conversation," he said.
When it comes to being a safe gun owner, Toure called it "comic book stuff" and channeled *Spider-Man'*sUncle Ben, saying, "With great power comes great responsibility."
In the wake of Hussle's death, tributes poured in for the rapper, business owner, father and community leader. Many said his absence would be felt in the music industry and also because he worked to improve the lives of those around him.
"I think it's a tremendous loss," Toure said. "I feel tremendously for his family, and I want everybody to make sure his marathon, his vision, continues."
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