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A new gun club named Lox and Loaded has opened several chapters in New York, including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, in response to rising antisemitism and concerns about personal safety. The club, which offers firearms training alongside bagels with a shmear, has grown rapidly, boasting 1,000 members and 15 chapters across ten states.
The increase in Jewish gun ownership follows a surge in antisemitic incidents after the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. According to AOL, this has prompted many Jews to seek ways to protect themselves, with some joining local Jewish gun clubs like Lox and Loaded. The club initially began in Chicago and has expanded to other states, including Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Michigan.
While Jews have historically been one of the least gun-owning demographics in the U.S., the rise in antisemitic violence has led to a change in attitudes. A Jewish mother from Cleveland, who was previously uncomfortable with guns, joined Lox and Loaded for training and says she now keeps a firearm for protection. "It’s unfortunately just a different world today than it was," she said, emphasizing the need to be ready for potential threats.
The Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions nationwide, has issued new guidelines for synagogues regarding armed congregants. They recommend that only members of an "organized, vetted, and well-regulated safety and security team" be allowed to carry weapons in synagogues, rather than individuals carrying for personal protection. This guidance aims to prevent uncoordinated responses during potential threats and to manage the risks associated with firearms.
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