Women and LGBTQ+ people take up guns after Trump's win: 'We need to protect ourselves'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Sat 23 Nov 2024 11.00 EST
Last modified on Sat 23 Nov 2024 11.27 EST


The misogyny and anti-trans rhetoric that were hallmarks of the 2024 election campaign have seemingly ramped up since Donald Trump’s win, prompting some women, queer and trans people to respond by buying guns – and learning how to defend themselves from potential attackers.

The Guardian spoke to various Americans from marginalized groups taking firearms classes, arming themselves with stun guns and pepper spray and taking their friends shooting in an effort to protect themselves from bigots they fear will be emboldened by the president-elect’s return to power. A few left-leaning gun clubs say their numbers are increasing dramatically. “I am thinking about carrying every day,” said Ashley Parten, 38, a Douglasville, Georgia, resident who purchased stun guns for herself, her daughter and three nieces after the election.

Parten, who is Black and bisexual, is also eyeing a maroon handgun that she plans on buying after taking a firearms class. “We all feel the need to make sure that we’re aware of our surroundings and protect ourselves in general, but even more so now,” she said. Earlier this week, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, in effect targeted Sarah McBride, the first openly trans person elected to Congress, by stating single-sex bathrooms in the Capitol “are reserved for individuals of that biological sex”.

Trump, whose campaign released a firehose of anti-trans attack ads, has promised to ban gender-affirming care for minors and “keep men out of women’s sports”. The president-elect and several of his cabinet picks are also facing sexual misconduct allegations; he and his allies have bragged about the overturning of Roe v Wade and denigrated childfree women. “Our identities are politicized every single day,” said Parten.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/23/women-lgbtq-guns-trump

[Lunabell]

1. These "Stand Your Ground" laws deliberately don't include domestic violence victims.

Sad, but true.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Yes Indeed

Protect themselves FROM THE BAD GUYS. In the Land of the Free. Incredible sadness.

[multigraincracker]

3. My sweet wife asked me today to teach her how to shoot.

I’d bet she’ll be a good shot.

[Evolve Dammit]

4. Good skill to have and you can do at any age.

[Rigpa108]

5. You mean

Liberals own guns too, and know how to use them?
In Sulu's tone of voice - "Oh my."

[Paladin]

6. Good. (nt)

[Kaleva]

7. One gets a gun because they intend to kill another human with it

If a situation warrants that action

Assuming we are just talking about self defense. You don't buy a gun for self defense to use to scare away others, to fire warning shots or to wound. You buy it and train with it so you can kill another if the need arises.

[speak easy]

9. You pull out a gun and tell them to back off.

[JoseBalow]

16. Not necessarily in that order

If that gun is coming out, it's for shooting.

[Kaleva]

17. You pull out a gun to shoot them

Last edited Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Many innocent's have died because a gun owner was too eager to have a drawn gun in their hand when the situation didn't warrant it.

Draw the gun, fire two shots at center mass, then assess the situation. If threat is neutralized, holster the gun or lay it down. If not, fire again until threat is eliminated . You should be able to do this without much thinking or hesitation and that takes lots of practice.

There's a much more to this then what I just said. It takes hours of instruction followed by many more hours of training and practice. Basically, getting a gun for self defense is a big commitment.

[mzmolly]

8. The gun lobby

will be happy.

[Ligyron]

10. It's a useful skill to have and it's fun to learn.

Just don't shoot your eye out and be careful of your feet.

[orangecrush]

11. Here

https://www.pinkpistols.org/lgbt-friendly-firearms-trainers/

And - never point a gun at anything you don't intend to shoot

[J_William_Ryan]

12. "Women and LGBTQ+ people take up guns..."

And appropriately so.

In Trump’s fascist America of racism, bigotry, misogyny, and hate, women and LGBTQ+ citizens need to defend themselves from the violent, lawless right.

[Woodycall]

13. My take is this

I grew up in a rural part of Northern Wisconsin where things were generally very peaceful but, at any given time, law enforcement could be 30 minutes away. Everybody had a shotgun or a 30-30 at hand. Nobody took them out or showed them around but everybody knew that everyone had a one. It wasn't any kind of topic of discussion. Just like you didn't ordinarily talk about your tractor or chainsaw. You just had one and everyone knew it. I have several guns and two of them are pistols - in good working order. My feeling about guns is same as my feelings about fire extinguishers . I don't live in constant fear that there will be a fire but, I realize that a fire is a possible "thing" and I will take every step to ensure that the conditions for a fire are minimalized. However, there is always a chance that a fire could break out, regardless. Because of that, I think I should have a fire extinguisher, make sure it is a good and reliable one, train myself in its proper use, and hope the hell I never have to use it. And that's how I feel about guns...

[progressoid]

14. "people living in homes with guns face substantially higher risks of being fatally assaulted...."

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M21-3762

[NoMoreRepugs]

15. If you've never fired a gun don't assume you know what you are doing without

getting some instruction.

[Icanthinkformyself]

18. It's clear that

the Democratic Party will not fight for the millions of voters who's votes were not counted due to possibly illegal challenges. We're on our own. My wife and I have been together for 52 years and never once discussed owning a gun. I brought up that possibility the other day and she agreed. We will be taking lessons, then, when we feel comfortable enough, we will purchase two, one for each of us. I prefer never using it. But, if some MAGA FA, they'll FO. The hard way. I am of a mind to take no prisoners.

[Kaleva]

19. With serious crime rate going down, what did you base your decision on?

Speculation and not facts?

What is the chance of you and your wife being a victim of a violent crime in your area? What are the statistics? Mine is pretty much zero.

I don't understand the logic behind spending a great deal of money and time for purchases, classes and practice for something that, for many, has only a miniscule chance of happening.

[bluestarone]

20. Just remember that saying.

IF you pull out THAT gun, be ready to use it!! Because THEY WILL!!

[Deep State Witch]

21. The Problems With Buying a Gun

I can see at least two problems with buying a gun for personal protection. This isn't to say that I'm against it. But:
1) It's just feeding the gun lobby's propaganda;
2) The other side has more guns, and more lethal ones at that.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

22. Did this strike anyone else as odd?

Parten, who is Black and bisexual, is also eyeing a maroon handgun that she plans on buying after taking a firearms class.

I have never heard a gun described by color. Not calibre or model, or even size? Why would the author do that?

Was this because the author does not know guns well and simply gave a physical description? Or perhaps that was what was described by Parten in an interview with no other details?

It first struck me as a sexist thing - that ladies choose guns because of the color. Which I found offensive.

Or maybe it is just me being oversensitive?

Now back to the main point - people feeling they are in danger from our government and fellow citizens and need to protect themselves. A common thing in the last decades (and longer) but this time it is us being afraid and arming ourselves.

Not sure if that is good or bad.

[AlanAdam]

23. How about buying a gun but only using blanks.

There would be no chance of killing someone, but only scaring people off. Incidentally, when I lived in Wichita my house was broken into twice, and I had to face the offender face-to-face both times.