National gun clubs field an influx of newcomers interested in learning how to shoot firearms for self-defense
www.theguardian.com
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.
