An old question asks “How does the ACLU count to ten?” The answer: “1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.” And so it seems does every other organization that purports to be about protecting civil rights. To them, even though “all men are created equal,” all Amendments aren’t. They want to make sure that every underrepresented group gets every protection they’re entitled to, Constitutionally speaking — except those those the Second guarantees. So some of these groups are taking matters into their own hands. One result? Every homophobe’s worst nightmare: gays with guns . . .
LGBT gun groups have been around for years but they’re gaining credibility within the gay community after the cold-blooded murder of Mark Carson in New York City and similar hate crimes. In “Gays with Guns: A Growing Subculture?” Shaun Knittel states “it would seem that the number of gays owning guns and being vocal about their Second Amendment rights is growing.”
“Big Gay Al” sums up this movement on his “Big Gay (Gun) Blog:”
I have to wonder, if this [gay bashing in NYC] would be going on, IF NYC didn’t have such strict gun control laws. Mayor Bloomberg would have everyone believe that only the police and the military need firearms. Yet, Gays are getting pounded on more often now, than in the recent past.
Any time I’ve had a conversation with some anti-gun fanatic, and I ask them, “What should I do if I’m attacked?” their stock answer is, “Call the police.” Like that’s gonna keep me from getting my brains bashed in. I have to wonder, do they live in the “real” world, where the police usually show up AFTER the damage is done, or what.
I have a Michigan Concealed Pistol License, and I carry every day. And even though, I can carry concealed, I’ve jumped on the Open Carry bandwagon, and you know what, no one has attacked me yet. Now some might suggest it’s my size. I stand 6 feet 2 inches tall, and I weigh about 270 pounds. Yet others will suggest it’s the nickel plated .45 automatic pistol that I carry. I like to think it’s my charming manner that keeps people friendly toward me.
In any event, everyone in the LGBT community should take a hint, protect yourself. Do whatever you have to, to stay alive.
One of the biggest (and most vocal) pro-2A organizations in the LGBT community is Pink Pistols, which Knittel reports is now up to 60 chapters in 33 states. Their mission is stated clearly on their web site:
We teach queers to shoot. Then we teach others that we have done so. Armed queers don’t get bashed… You don’t have to be gay to join us, any more than you have to be Black to support civil rights, or be Jewish to support the JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership). We include members from the GLBT, Polyamarous, and BDSM communities, but you don’t need to be gay or have an alternative sexuality to join and shoot with us. We like to say that we are FOR the sexual minority community, but not exclusively OF it. We welcome anybody.
Gays with Guns isn’t a formal organization like Pink Pistols, but rather a web site with resources for promoting the Second Amendment rights and firearm ownership within the LGBT community. They include a link to Dean Garrison’s excellent essay “If they Come for Your Guns, Do You Have a Responsibility to Fight?” and a link to reddit’s list of DGU incidents. From the web site:
Gays With Guns is not about classifying people as different –it’s about reaching out to a minority demographic who might not be viewed as pro 2nd Amendment. We believe the 2nd is vitally important to our nation, our civil liberties; self-defense and our peace of mind.
We, The People of the Gun, agree with you wholeheartedly and welcome you to the cause with open arms.