For decades, the image of gun ownership in America was white, rural and Republican, but that’s been changing, according to gun clubs, trainers, Second Amendment advocates and academic researchers.

They say more liberals, people of color and LGBTQ folks have been buying guns for years and particularly since Trump’s reelection in 2024. This story was based on more than 30 interviews. David Phillips is on the training team of the Liberal Gun Club, which has chapters in more than 30 states and provides a haven for liberals to train and learn about guns. He says club membership has grown from 2,700 in November to 4,500 today. Requests for training, he says, have quintupled.

“The concern is about the supporters of the right-wing who feel that they have been given permission to run roughshod at least, if not commit outright violence against people they don’t like,” Phillips says.

  • unphazed@lemmy.world
    5·
    2 days ago

    Guns aren’t inherently bad. Gun worship is bad. Gun ownership without proper safety and use is bad. Gun as a toy philosophy is bad. Gun’s being taught to children as a weapon to destroy those they hate is bad. Guns are a qeapon to be used fr defense, or a tool to hunt to eat. Guns aren’t a hotrod that gets modifications for fun, or a contest to see who can get the most. Teach children they can’t touch guns without supervision, keep them locked up. Practice with guns, read or get training on maintenance and safety. If you are a person who thinks about using a gun more than a few times a week or so you probably should question why you think that way. If you have anything but a sick feeling at the thought of killing someone with a gun you need therapy. Guns are a last resort, and they should be respected as the grim reapers they are.