“LGBTQ+ Gun Ownership on the Rise as Rainbow Reload Provides Safe Space for Training”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: LGBTQ+ Gun Group Sees Surge in Membership Amid Rising Threats and Legislation

Headline: Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ+ gun group, experiences a spike in membership following a national spotlight on Fox News

Subtitle: As violence against the LGBTQ+ community rises, more queer individuals turn to gun ownership for self-protection

Manchester, N.H. – In a March 2023 segment on Fox News, former host Tucker Carlson drew attention to Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ+ gun group based in New Hampshire. Carlson’s remarks ignited controversy, with him highlighting the group’s existence and questioning the disparity in gun ownership rights between LGBTQ+ individuals and faithful Democratic Party supporters. However, instead of deterring potential members, the increased exposure led to a surge in support for Rainbow Reload, prompting the establishment of new chapters in Tennessee and Vermont.

Gun ownership within the LGBTQ+ community is relatively uncommon. Research conducted by UCLA and the Pew Research Center indicates that gun owners in the United States are more likely to identify as heterosexual and Republican, rather than queer and Democratic. While specific data on LGBTQ+ gun ownership remains limited, queer gun rights organizations nationwide have observed a growing interest in gun ownership among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Finley Smith, a 33-year-old transgender woman, founded Rainbow Reload in November 2021 following a distressing experience at a gun range. Smith was subjected to repeated homophobic slurs, leading her to recognize the need for a safe space where LGBTQ+ individuals could train together. Rainbow Reload’s primary mission is to provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people to enhance their shooting skills. Smith organizes two monthly meetings near her Manchester, N.H. residence, catering to both beginners and advanced members. The sessions cover topics such as weapon maintenance, safety, and marksmanship. Since its inception, the group has grown significantly, with monthly meetups attracting around 20 participants. Moreover, Rainbow Reload boasts a membership of over 100 individuals on the online messaging platform Discord.

Thatcher Combs, a sociologist who researched LGBTQ+ gun ownership at the University of Texas at Austin, suggests that the increase in queer individuals exploring gun ownership can be attributed to heightened threats faced by the transgender community. Combs argues that individuals who feel unsafe seek ways to protect themselves, often turning to gun ownership. Erin Palette, the national coordinator for the Pink Pistols, the largest LGBTQ+ gun club in the country, corroborates this claim, noting a rise in membership attributed to mass shootings targeting gay clubs and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Over the past few years, physical attacks against LGBTQ+ individuals have shown an upward trend. FBI data reveals a 54 percent increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation and a 65 percent increase in hate crimes based on gender identity between 2020 and 2022. Additionally, Department of Justice statistics from 2017 to 2020 indicate that violence against lesbian or gay individuals occurred at more than twice the rate compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

Concurrently, U.S. state legislatures have introduced over 725 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2023, double the amount from the previous year, according to data from the Movement Advancement Project. These factors contribute to an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the LGBTQ+ community, with queer individuals increasingly concerned about being identified and targeted for violence in public spaces.

Rainbow Reload provides LGBTQ+ gun owners with a space to express their identities, especially in progressive circles where anti-gun sentiment may prevail. Smith acknowledges encountering resistance from certain queer groups when it comes to embracing gun ownership. She views the formation of Rainbow Reload as a rejection of both extremes, emphasizing the importance of firearms for self-protection within the LGBTQ+ community. Smith clarifies that her goal is not to advocate for universal gun ownership but rather to prioritize the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones in certain circumstances where personal safety is at stake.

In conclusion, Rainbow Reload’s increased visibility following Tucker Carlson’s segment on Fox News has resulted in a surge in membership, with new chapters sprouting in Tennessee and Vermont. As violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continue to rise, more queer individuals are turning to gun ownership as a means of self-protection. Rainbow Reload provides a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ gun owners to acquire and enhance their shooting skills, ensuring their safety in an increasingly uncertain world..