In the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency, a noticeable shift has emerged in the demographics of gun ownership across the United States. Groups traditionally underrepresented in gun culture, such as progressives, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, are increasingly showing interest in arming themselves amidst perceptions of growing national instability.
Changing Face of Gun Ownership
Historically, gun ownership in America has been associated with white, rural, and Republican identities. However, this image is evolving. Liberal gun clubs, trainers, and Second Amendment advocates report a rising number of minorities and liberals purchasing firearms. NPR’s Frank Langfitt investigated the trend, conducting over 30 interviews to understand the motivations behind this shift.
Charles, a Black doctor from Maryland, shared his personal journey with gun ownership. Raised in Brooklyn’s housing projects during the ’70s, Charles was forbidden to even play with toy guns due to his mother’s strong religious beliefs. Now, he regularly practices with his Smith & Wesson .380 at a local shooting range. The catalyst for his decision? Actions by the Trump administration that he perceived as threatening, such as the arrest of a foreign student and the handcuffing of a U.S. senator.
Fears and Motivations
Charles expressed concerns about potential civil unrest, saying, “What I’m talking about is protecting myself from a situation where there may be some kind of chaotic civil unrest and the streets become something we don’t recognize.” He worries about being targeted by the government or other citizens instigated by the administration’s rhetoric.
His daughter, Charley, joins him in these training sessions. As a Black woman, she feels particularly vulnerable, recounting an incident where a man drove onto her college campus, shouting racial slurs at Black students. Charley attributes this hostility to her race, gender, and political affiliation in the current climate.
Political Tensions and Gun Ownership
The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, dismissed NPR’s findings as biased. President Trump has previously attributed political violence to the radical left, citing personal threats and the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as examples.
Many liberals, however, see the president’s rhetoric as the primary source of division. David Phillips of The Liberal Gun Club, which has seen significant membership growth, notes an increased desire for firearm training among liberals due to fears of right-wing violence.
Google Trends data supports this growing concern, with spikes in searches for “how do I buy a gun” coinciding with key political events, such as Trump’s election and policy announcements. Sociologist David Yamane highlights that this trend isn’t entirely new, having been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social unrest.
Statistics and Perspectives
A University of Chicago study revealed that 29% of Democrats or Democrat-leaning individuals had a gun at home in 2022, marking a significant increase over the past decade. Most new gun owners interviewed by NPR emphasize self-protection as their sole motivation, steering clear of any aggressive rhetoric.
Bill Sack from the Second Amendment Foundation acknowledges this trend but raises concerns about the fear driving it. Despite the growing numbers, many new gun owners hope they never have to use their firearms but prefer the security of being prepared.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
