A group of Jewish Americans from across the political spectrum are gathering across the country to exercise their Second Amendment rights in the face of antisemitism.
Loax & Loaded is a nationwide gun club for Jewish people and their allies, according to its website. Founded in March 2025 in response to rising antisemitic violence following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, the organization now has chapters in 23 states from coast to coast.
“It’s a safe place. And what I mean by ‘safe’ is that there’s no safer place for people who are scared than a gun range,” firearms instructor and Lox & Loaded co-founder Gayle Pearlstein told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“[Even] Bubbe carries now,” she added, stating the Yiddish word for grandmother.
“I didn’t want this to happen here, so I will donate my time and my arsenal,” Pearlstein continued, reflecting on her decision to start the club following the Oct. 7 attacks. “I didn’t want any money. I actually wanted to make an impact.”
Pearlstein, who describes the club’s atmosphere as a “Shoot and Schmooze,” stressed that the range provides a unique form of security.
“I wanted everybody to be able to be proud of themselves and the logo,” she said.
Photos of the club’s chapter meetings show bagels and lox being served during firearm safety trainings, ABC News reported.
While the club is rooted in the Jewish heritage, Pearlstein emphasizes that the movement is apolitical and inclusive.
“We are very clear on there’s absolutely no—we don’t discuss political anything,” she noted. “If you’re an American and you have the legal right to carry a firearm, you are welcome, regardless of politics.”
The ultimate goal, according to Pearlstein, is to change the perception of the community as a “soft target” through visible proficiency.
“The louder we are, the more we practice, this is gonna create deterrence,” she said. “So people don’t think we’re a soft target anymore.”
Pearlstein stressed that regular practice is essential to handling firearms safely. Attendees favored several models, including the Israeli Weapons Industries Masada, Glock 43X, Glock 19, Charter Arms American-made revolvers, the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 and M&P 2.0 pistols. Pearlstein described the Charter Arms revolvers as reasonably priced and easy to use.
Several attendees described themselves as gun skeptics who told ABC News that they wanted to seek protection from rising antisemitism.
“They were scare for themselves. They were scared for their family. Their kids were harassed,” Pearlstein told ABC News. “They were being followed. they were being threatened at work, because they were Jewish.”
(DCNF)