Rainbow Reload Guns Are For Everybody

[steve_bank]

Armed Self-Defense Is For Everyone: Rainbow Reload Helps LGBT Members 'Be Dangerous Back' - The Truth About Guns

Amid the hikers and snowmobilers in the park today, these are members of a group called Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ gun club that offers experts and the gun-curious a chance to practice firearms skills in a supportive environment. Similar groups exist across the country, often under the name “Pink...

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

Amid the hikers and snowmobilers in the park today, these are members of a group called Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ gun club that offers experts and the gun-curious a chance to practice firearms skills in a supportive environment.

Similar groups exist across the country, often under the name “Pink Pistols.” Rainbow Reload members stress that their mission goes beyond mere hobby: The goal is to prepare and protect themselves from a rising chorus of threats against LGBTQ+ people, including those stemming from hate groups.

“If the world is dangerous, then you have to be dangerous back,” says Smith, who, like everyone interviewed, requested some level of anonymity citing concerns about their safety. “And that very much has pushed me to where I am now.”

 

[Elixir]

Guns are so ubiquitous … I favor anything that gives people training in their safe use. Otherwise they’re going to end up making themselves - and guns - even more dangerous.

 

[thebeave]

Armed Self-Defense Is For Everyone: Rainbow Reload Helps LGBT Members 'Be Dangerous Back' - The Truth About Guns

Amid the hikers and snowmobilers in the park today, these are members of a group called Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ gun club that offers experts and the gun-curious a chance to practice firearms skills in a supportive environment. Similar groups exist across the country, often under the name “Pink...

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

Amid the hikers and snowmobilers in the park today, these are members of a group called Rainbow Reload, an LGBTQ gun club that offers experts and the gun-curious a chance to practice firearms skills in a supportive environment.

Similar groups exist across the country, often under the name “Pink Pistols.” Rainbow Reload members stress that their mission goes beyond mere hobby: The goal is to prepare and protect themselves from a rising chorus of threats against LGBTQ+ people, including those stemming from hate groups.

“If the world is dangerous, then you have to be dangerous back,” says Smith, who, like everyone interviewed, requested some level of anonymity citing concerns about their safety. “And that very much has pushed me to where I am now.”

Is the country really more threatening and dangerous for LGBTQ people that it has been in the past, though? It seems to me things have gotten much more accepting than just a few years ago. Unfortunately, a few knuckleheads in Bumfuck, Mississippi or elsewhere can express their threats and hatred for others on social media and get nationwide attention, unlike just a few years ago where their message had little chance of leaving their single wide hillbilly haven. People need to be careful not to let these outspoken few change the current climate.

 

[Jarhyn]

Guns are so ubiquitous … I favor anything that gives people training in their safe use. Otherwise they’re going to end up making themselves - and guns - even more dangerous.

I agree. I would go so far as to say in a society that believes everyone has the right to own a weapon, I would expect that everyone have the responsibility of being taught how to handle and maintain them safely.

 

[Cheerful Charlie]

I do remember years ago when CC laws started to be passed in a number of states. We then saw the formation of the Pink Pistols. It was common then for young white punks to drive to a city's gay bar areas and "roll queers". When the Pink Pistols formed and made their presence known, such gay bashing dropped off rather significantly.

If the right keeps bashing LGTQ and attacks on gays rise, we will see resistance. Armed if necessary it seems.

 

[TomC]

Is the country really more threatening and dangerous for LGBTQ people that it has been in the past, though?

It isn't just queers who are more at risk. It's everybody from cops to drag queens to bubbas to new immigrants.

But those who differ from the norm are at more risk than most.
Tom

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Is the country really more threatening and dangerous for LGBTQ people that it has been in the past, though? It seems to me things have gotten much more accepting than just a few years ago. Unfortunately, a few knuckleheads in Bumfuck, Mississippi or elsewhere can express their threats and hatred for others on social media and get nationwide attention, unlike just a few years ago where their message had little chance of leaving their single wide hillbilly haven. People need to be careful not to let these outspoken few change the current climate.

This had been getting better. However, His Flatulence has empowered a lot of scumbags.

 

[TV and credit cards]

“If the world is dangerous, then you have to be dangerous back,” says Smith

But if you were wrong and the world wasn’t a dangerous place then all we have is you and a bunch of people like you walking around with loaded guns thus making the world a dangerous place.
Isn’t there a term in psychology for this?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Personally, all we can ask for, well not even this, is safer storage of weapons. That could have impeded Sandy Hook altogether.

Is the country really more threatening and dangerous for LGBTQ people that it has been in the past, though?

It isn't just queers who are more at risk. It's everybody from cops to drag queens to bubbas to new immigrants.

But those who differ from the norm are at more risk than most.
Tom

Cops generally aren't being harmed anymore than they have been, other than from Covid, which I believe was the largest killer of cops in 2020 or 2021.

 

[Jarhyn]

“If the world is dangerous, then you have to be dangerous back,” says Smith

But if you were wrong and the world wasn’t a dangerous place then all we have is you and a bunch of people like you walking around with loaded guns thus making the world a dangerous place.
Isn’t there a term in psychology for this?

The Tinkerbell Effect, is the name of the phenomena. Also self-fulfilling prophecy?

 

[Politesse]

Is the country really more threatening and dangerous for LGBTQ people that it has been in the past, though?

Yes. Both in general, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes are becoming more common, and they are also becoming more violent. The "general perception" (among the straight-cis majority, of course) that society is becoming more tolerant and accepting is true only in some places and contexts. The same forces that are normalizing gay and trans identities in popular culture are also "provoking" a conservative backlash that is increasingly violent.

People need to be careful not to let these outspoken few change the current climate.

And this is some fucking bullshit anyway. If there are armed radicals murdering gays, we have every right to arm up. If the only hateful people in the entire country were five angry Alabamans, but those individuals were willing to kill, their neighbors would be fully justified in locking their doors at night and keeping the ammunition stocked.

 

[Elixir]

Both in general, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes are becoming more common, and they are also becoming more violent.

I don’t doubt that, but do suspect that increasing rates of reporting are also contributing to those “increases”

The "general perception" (among the straight-cis majority, of course) that society is becoming more tolerant and accepting is true only in some places and contexts.

As a member of that majority, I can’t argue the point. Just thinking that “some places and contexts” represents at least an incremental improvement over “no places and contexts”.
I’m not totally blind though, and realize that the situation is still dire for LGBTQ persons.

 

[Politesse]

As a member of that majority, I can’t argue the point. Just thinking that “some places and contexts” represents at least an incremental improvement over “no places and contexts”.

That's great and all but no substitute for actually being safe.

People in power are always like "When will it be enough for you people" when kids are still dying in the goddamned street with no one to protect them.

 

[steve_bank]

The idea that somehow we will ab safe and hate violence will be eliminated is a pipe dream.

Back in the 90s there were well foudded fears in an area of gay bars and establishments for a period in Seattle. Assaults and harassment. Real fear above the usual for gays.

LGBTQ arming themselves is understandable.

Back in the 60s the Black Panthers armed themselves. In areas in Ca it was open season on blacks.

That is why I generally support the 2nd Amendment with some reservations. That we have an organized police force does no mean the police can protect people being singled out and does not abrogate the right to defend yourself.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

That is why I generally support the 2nd Amendment with some reservations. That we have an organized police force does no mean the police can protect people being singled out and does not abrogate the right to defend yourself.

This. Most people have no need to go about life armed, but people aren't stamped out with a cookie cutter, the threat level varies. Sometimes it's what you are (for example, gay), sometimes it's more personal (stalker ex, or nut case that blames you for something bad in their life.)