(JEWISH GROUP) As more Jews acquire guns, a Jewish security group urges stronger regulations for synagogues

The Jewish mother in Cleveland was always uncomfortable with guns and never imagined owning one herself — but that was before Oct. 7.

After Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel spurred a surge in antisemitism, the 53-year-old mother of teenaged twins was so frightened by the prospect of danger for her family that she joined a local Jewish gun club. After gaining comfort in handling firearms, she bought one that she now keeps, loaded, in a safe next to her bed. She feels ready to protect her family if she needs to.

“It’s unfortunately just a different world today than it was,” said the mother, who asked to remain anonymous to protect details of her family’s security situation. “Everyone always says, ‘never again is now,’ which is true, but never again also means being ready because of what’s going on in the world today.”

The mother got her training through Lox & Loaded, a Jewish firearms club that first set up shop in Chicago earlier this year and already has chapters in 15 cities around the country, including in Florida, Texas, Illinois, Michigan and New York. Over 1,000 people are involved, according to the group.

Jews have historically been one of the least gun-owning demographic groups in the United States. But while hard data about changes in gun ownership among Jews is scant, Lox & Loaded’s rapid growth is one of several signals that more Jews may be packing heat in the wake of Oct. 7.

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