A Jewish American firearms club, founded in the wake of the October 7 massacre and the rise in antisemitism, is growing in popularity, with over 30 chapters across the United States. It’s poised to go international.
Created in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lox & Loaded gun club has more than 1,000 members and aspires to establish a chapter in every US state. A spokesperson said that the objective was reasonable, given the immense interest in the organization.
The name of the club is a Jewish play on the term “locked and loaded,” in which a firearm is loaded with ammunition and prepared for firing. In popular culture and everyday language, it means being fully prepared for a situation or an event.
The purpose of the Lox & Loaded club is to provide a safe environment for members of the Jewish community to familiarize themselves with firearm ownership and potential self-defense. Many of the new members have never held a firearm and have even spent their lives opposing firearm ownership.
The spokesperson said that the group’s membership encompasses all sides of gun debates and issues, but all the members agree that they feel compelled to learn how to defend themselves from rising antisemitism.
New members often related that they couldn’t believe they were finding themselves at a shooting range, but after initial sessions the prevailing sentiment was that the experience wasn’t as bad as they thought, and in some cases was even enjoyable.
“The most common thing I hear when they leave meetings is gratitude. I hear a lot of people saying that this was necessary,” the spokesperson said.
Nobody wants to be in a situation in which they have to use a firearm, said the spokesperson, and the mission of the gun club is solely defensive. The club doesn’t advocate for carrying a weapon but is there to facilitate the education of those who want to learn how to use a gun safely.
Firearm ownership without any training can be dangerous. New owners could be obtaining guns as situations across the country and beyond threaten the Jewish community.
The spokesperson explained that new members learn with private instructors at their own pace and learn how to use a weapon without owning a firearm first, trying out multiple types of guns before deciding which would be best for them.
At club meetings, members review safety procedures, firearm maintenance, and can participate in a forum with like-minded individuals. There are many experienced firearm owners in the club who want to continue to hone their proficiency, as well as be part of a community. Club members want a venue to discuss their fears with fellow Jews, the spokesperson said.
“It’s not just about the firearm, it’s about the mental state,” he pointed out. “It’s absolutely about the community.”
Mental state
To keep it a stress-free environment, the group is anonymous and doesn’t publish names or photographs of members, out of sensitivity for their safety. The club wants everyone to feel comfortable with the idea of defending themselves and not becoming victims.
“Lox & Loaded wants to be part of a message that has a deterrent effect against those who want to harm the Jewish community. If a large population of the community is armed, it might serve as a deterrent,” the spokesperson said.
“The people in our community don’t need to be victims. We can look out for one another to protect ourselves. Hopefully it will never come to that, but it never hurts to be prepared.”