Interest In Armed Self-Defense Among LGBT Community Continues To Rise

posted on July 7, 2016

After 21-year-old Matthew Shepard was tortured and murdered for being gay, some members of the gay and lesbian community raised a call to arms, which led to the formation of shooting and self-defense organization the Pink Pistols in 2000.

In the aftermath of the Orlando terror attacks, this call has been renewed—and according to Pink Pistols President Matt Schlentz, many are listening. Previously, membership in the group hovered around 1,500. Now, it has ballooned to more than 4,000, with 2,000 of those added on the Monday after the incident. 

“It’s really sad that something on this scale had to happen for people to realize that this is a need for our community,” Schlentz told The Salt Lake Tribune. But, he says, “The reality is what it is—the world is a violent, terrible, scary place, and people do wish me harm based on who I love.” 

Schlentz says the incident also raised awareness among those outside the LGBT community: In the aftermath of the attacks, several gun-range owners have offered to help provide firearms and self-defense training to the group.

Latest

Dean Cain
Dean Cain

Shooting Straight with Dean Cain

Dean Cain cares about our freedom, and he isn't the least bit aggrieved about any work he may have lost for being a vocal supporter of our rights.

10 Things the Mainstream Media Doesn't Want You To Know About Concealed Carry

The "mainstream" media likes to place the blame for violent crime on guns, not criminals. The truth about concealed carry, however, is very different from how man in the media frame in.

The Armed Citizen® March 24, 2023

True stories of the right to keep and bear arms.

Special Report: The NRA is Fighting Back

To undercut the Second Amendment, New York officials attacked the NRA's First Amendment rights. To stop this, the NRA has asked the U.S. Supreme Court for redress.

From the Editor: Maybe They Just Don't Understand

Hollywood does, in fact, have some social responsibility, but getting there just takes more thought than some of them can manage.

Did Biden Really Expand Background Checks?

Here's what President Biden's recent executive order actually does.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.