Those stories and others about convicted felons having gun rights revoked prompted Toure, of Philadelphia, to create the grass-roots organization Black Guns Matter and take his message of gun rights and firearms education to African-American communities all over. That includes Chicago, where he’s spending a month doing outreach and a training session this weekend.

In two years, the group has raised thousands of dollars to host training sessions across the country, even getting a helping hand from members of the National Rifle Association. Toure’s effort comes at a time when everyone from lawmakers to teenagers are debating gun control as the nation comes to grips with headline after headling about mass shootings in this country.

While the workshops have covered a range of topics, Saturday’s training session in Chicago will be geared toward convicted felons and their families. While experts say it’s difficult for convicted felons to have their gun rights restored, Toure hopes Saturday’s session might spark a conversation about what could be done to change that, particularly for those convicted of nonviolent offenses.

“I personally believe that when you do your time, all your rights should be restored,” he said.”

In Illinois, those convicted of a felony cannot apply for a firearm owner’s identification card, meaning they can’t legally possess a firearm or ammunition. In fact, a convicted felon could face a Class 3 felony if caught with a weapon. And it’s a steep uphill battle for convicted felons to get their gun rights restored, said David Sigale, a Glen Ellyn-based attorney who has worked on gun rights cases.

Some of the options for felons include filing a federal lawsuit arguing their Second Amendment rights were being violated or seeking a pardon from the governor for their conviction, according to Sigale.

It’s not unheard of for convicted felons to have their gun rights restored. Last month, a federal judge in the Southern District of Illinois ruled in favor of Larry Hatfield, who petitioned the court to allow him to keep a gun at home as a form of self-defense. In 1992, Hartfield pleaded guilty to a felony charge stemming from false statements he had made on forms sent to the Railroad Retirement Board, according to court records.

Toure will lead Saturday’s training session which starts at 2 p.m. at the South Chicago library branch, 9055 S. Houston Ave. Attendees, of course, will need to leave their firearms at home. State law bans gun owners, including holders of concealed carry permits, from bringing a firearm on library property.

Black Guns Matter decided to do the training at a public library as a way to bring people together at a neutral location, because some might think of guns and convicted felons as a taboo subject.