More liberals, people of color and LGBTQ say they're buying guns out of fear
5 days ago
- #gun ownership
- #political fear
- #self-defense
- More liberals, people of color, and LGBTQ Americans are buying guns due to fear, particularly since Trump's reelection in 2024.
- Charles, a Black doctor, bought a handgun fearing civil unrest and potential targeting by Trump supporters.
- Gun ownership in America is shifting from its traditional white, rural, Republican image to include more diverse groups.
- The Liberal Gun Club has seen membership grow from 2,700 to 4,500, with training requests quintupling.
- Trump's rhetoric and policies, such as calling immigrants 'poisoning the blood of our country,' have alarmed many.
- Google Trends shows spikes in searches for 'How do I buy a gun?' around key political events like Trump's election and inauguration.
- A University of Chicago study found gun ownership among Democrats or Democrat-leaning individuals rose by 7 percentage points from 2010 to 2022.
- Events like the pandemic, George Floyd's murder, and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot have driven more people, especially minorities and women, to buy guns.
- New gun owners emphasize self-protection and have no intention of engaging law enforcement or inciting violence.
- Despite low likelihood, new gun owners feel it's their responsibility to be prepared for potential civil unrest.