The New York Times Discovers Diverse Americans Support the Right to Bear Arms

In a surprising front page article The New York Times presents several diverse new gun owners who differ in gender, race, ethnicity, education, and in some cases who previously opposed gun ownership. But in each case they want to avail themselves of the right to protect themselves.

Sometimes they also see other, secondary, advantages.

(p. A1) Ken Green’s tipping point came as he watched an angry mob storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

John Alvarado’s came during the pandemic, as he evolved from a self-described “bleeding-heart liberal” to a deeply religious conservative.

A spike in anti-Asian violence in that same period is what motivated John Tsien.

For Victoria Alston, it was living on her own again after separating from her husband.

And for Anna Kolanowski, the tipping point came as she walked to a bar one night to meet friends.

. . .

(p. A11) With her parents — Polish immigrants, and longtime gun owners, who were not completely comfortable with her gender transition — Ms. Kolanowski’s new hobby has provided a bonding opportunity.

“It’s kind of cute, like, ‘We have something in common!’” she said.

Ms. Kolanowski and the other new owners said they had expected to feel more confident and self-reliant after buying guns. Less expected, they said, were the new friends they made, and the uplifting sense of having bridged a societal divide.

Several described a profound enjoyment of a pastime they never dreamed would be so satisfying.

Though he dislikes the macho energy that he sees pervading gun culture, Mr. Tsien says he has found shooting to be a deeply meditative, calming pursuit.

He likens the hobby to others he has embraced in the past, like photography and scuba diving, where part of the appeal is mastering a complicated tool and understanding how it works.

For Ms. Alston, the connection with other Black women at her shooting range felt energizing and empowering: “We’re finally becoming less afraid,” she said.

Likewise, Dr. Green sees his gun ownership as a way of defending his Jewish identity.

“One of the reasons the Holocaust happened is because people allowed it to happen,” he said. “Not on my watch.”

Several said they looked for opportunities to talk about their decisions, even with those who were skeptical, in hopes of promoting dialogue and understanding.

In Mr. Alvarado’s church in Maine last summer, he sat by a door in the back, keeping watch. His role on the security team is “where I fit in,” he said. “It feels purposeful, and it feels good to have a purpose.”