April 29, 1992
There are seminal moments in life that cause us to reevaluate strongly held beliefs. The war between Israel and Gaza has given Jewish Americans especially, at a minimum, a reason to rethink their place among progressives, their choice of news outlets, and their feelings towards firearms.
For me, the Rodney King riots of 1992 were a sobering lesson. I could smell the smoke in my home, as hundreds of marauders took over the streets as police scurried away. I realized that if things got worse and spilled into the suburbs, the person to defend my home was me.
I grew up with guns and was armed, but in a way better suited towards a burglar than a mob. I’ll never forget one of the first actions of L.A.’s government: banning the sale of ammunition.
So, quite literally, as criminals were breaking into sporting goods stores, stealing every weapon they could carry before setting the stores themselves on fire, Los Angeles decided that law-abiding citizens shouldn't be trusted to protect themselves.
This was my "never again" moment. From that point on, I never again referred to my Uncle Ted as a “gun nut”, and have been personally prepared for social disorder.
October 7, 2023
I’ve spent time in Israel but never paid much attention to its gun laws, so I was surprised to learn how restrictive those laws were. Only a small number of the 1,200 people murdered had the ability to protect themselves. Instead, too many families prayed that their safe room doors would hold out, and too many paid the ultimate price for trusting their government's military to save them.
I held my tongue in the days afterwards, since I’m always disgusted at people injecting politics as others are being buried. But had residents near Gaza been as well-armed as a typical American suburb, that massacre would not have played out as it did.
Today
Few groups have been less supportive of gun ownership than the American Jewish community, with recent polls showing over three-quarters believed the U.S. needed more restrictive gun laws.
Yet, in the face of rising threats, we're witnessing an unprecedented phenomenon: Jewish Americans arming themselves, a substantive shift from the mere 13% who owned guns by recent accounts.
As anti-Semitic acts spread throughout the country, many have a palpable sense of vulnerability and a resolve to not remain defenseless. Reports from gun shops across the nation attest to a significant uptick in Jewish customers buying firearms for the first time.
In Florida alone, October saw a 30% surge in FBI criminal background checks for gun ownership, a direct response from the state's large Jewish population. Gun clubs report a rise in Jewish attendees, reflecting a community arming itself, not out of paranoia, but a rational response to a discernible threat.
The threat may not be this month or even this decade, but the worry of social breakdown always exists. I’ve produced a video discussing that likelihood. And, as we’ve seen throughout much of history, when it goes bad, it goes really bad for Jews.
While it remains an improbable event, it's still more likely than dying in a car accident. Yet, how often do you drive without wearing your seatbelt? Given the minimal cost and life-saving potential, using a seat belt is a no-brainer.
It’s the same for firearm ownership, which should be considered essential for most Americans and, in my case at least, my children who will inherit a bunch.
A final thought
Given what I know about many of you, I suspect I might be "preaching to the gun lobby" here.
One gesture that gun owners can extend is inviting a novice to join us at the shooting range. For those not familiar with them, guns can be intimidating and sometimes downright scary. A little help and support from a knowledgeable friend can go a long way.
– Ken
Ken, I couldn’t agree more. Anyone who relies on police or government to protect them during a crisis may regret that decision. Arm yourselves and learn how to use the firearm. Be prepared to protect your family and yourself.
Very well written at an appropriate time. Thanks, Ken!