In a striking contradiction, leftist activists and LGBTQ groups have begun arming themselves, citing fears of persecution under a potential second Trump presidency. Organizations like the Socialist Rifle Association and Pink Pistols have reported significant membership growth, with many left-leaning individuals acquiring firearms for the first time.

The Philadelphia Inquirer recently profiled members of these groups, revealing their motivations. One individual, identified as “A.,” purchased a Ruger Security-380, citing concerns about “hate-driven oppression” and the need to defend against potential attacks. Similarly, Matthew Thompson, a gay man from New Jersey, justified his decision to arm himself with fears of being “put in concentration camps.”

Trans activist Madeline Shearman from Pennsylvania organizes “2A social groups” to train LGBTQ individuals in gun safety and usage, echoing a sentiment of self-reliance. “If I can’t protect myself, who will?” Shearman remarked.

Sociologist David Yamane of Wake Forest University attributes this trend to what he calls “Gun Culture 2.0,” a shift from recreational firearm use to self-defense. Yamane noted that the tumultuous year of 2020, marked by social unrest and uncertainty, drove many Americans—including minorities—to seek firearms for personal safety.

This surge in gun ownership among traditionally left-leaning demographics is ironic, given the left’s longstanding push for stricter gun control laws. Groups like the Socialist Rifle Association and Pink Pistols were founded on the premise of empowering marginalized communities through firearms, but their growing popularity highlights the tension between progressive anti-gun rhetoric and their newfound embrace of the Second Amendment for self-defense.

While these individuals cite concerns of imagined persecution, their actions underscore the enduring importance of Second Amendment rights. The sharp rise in gun ownership among leftist activists further complicates the narrative surrounding gun control and self-defense in modern America.