The rise of Jewish gun ownership challenges traditional beliefs and confronts rising antisemitism.
In 2013, when I founded Jews Can Shoot, many in the Jewish community here and in Israel chimed in. Some positive. Many negative. I was accused of being the wild, wild west by some Israelis. An American Jewish gun club attempted to smear Jews Can Shoot as a paramilitary organization. Unfortunately, I accept that there are groups whose goal it is to make all Americans unarmed and defenseless. But I’ve never understood that attitude from Jews who have historically suffered because they have been disarmed. Events continue to prove that out.
The American Jewish community has a long history of broad opposition to civilian firearm ownership.
This curiosity aligns with reform Jewish progressive thought. It correlates with the Christian-based philosophy, “Turn the other cheek,” a philosophy contrary to Jewish history, scripture, dogma, and survival.
The UnJewish ideologies of “progressive” democrats remain the perplexing and self-destructive choice of many of today’s Jewish American voters. With congressional kapos like Vermont’s Bernie Sanders and Michigan’s Andy Levin, it’s no wonder that Antisemitic tropes flourish, hatred of Jews fester and condemnation of Israel echoes within our halls of justice. Perhaps Lady Justice needs her blindfold removed. Jewish loathing of fellow Jews epitomizes Pogo’s dictum, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” (1)
Despite the unprecedented antisemitism exuding from the democratic party, Jews continue to vote for and make excuses for Antisemitic anti-gun representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar as well as the sixteen democrats who voted NOT TO CONDEMN BDS. Among these sixteen, six had hoped to harness the 2020 democratic nomination for president! A Shonda indeed.
By Gary S. Branfman
