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Gun Manufacturer Pays For Weapons Training For Orlando Gays

Gun Manufacturer Pays For Weapons Training For Orlando Gays

Since the June 12 massacre at Pulse Nightclub, the subject of gun control has been a heavy weight on the nation — especially the queer community.

While some are fighting for stricter gun laws through loud, statement making protests in the nation’s capital, some are taking the opposite approach and arming themselves. For those that are unwilling to holster their 2nd Amendment rights, there is a place for you.

Meet the Pink Pistols.

The Pink Pistols is an LGBT gun advocacy group with chapters around the country, which first filed suit in 2008, claiming individuals had the right to carry weapons in public for self-protection, even against nonspecific threats.

“We are dedicated to the legal, safe, and responsible use of firearms for self-defense of the sexual-minority community,” reads a statement on the Pink Pistols’ national website.

“We no longer believe it is the right of those who hate and fear gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or polyamorous persons to use us as targets for their rage. Self-defense is our RIGHT.”

The statement concludes: “Armed gays don’t get bashed.”

pink-pistols-1477411057The group boasts over 40 local chapters across the United States, with three located in Florida. The Central Florida chapter, which is based in Orlando, was founded just weeks after the attack at Pulse.

Now, a Connecticut-based gun manufacturer is offering free gun training to the Orlando LGBT community. his August, Standard Manufacturing provided a grant to the newly-formed Central Florida chapter of Pink Pistols.

Standard Manufacturing reached out to its founder, NRA certified instructor Jo Martin, to ask if it could help cover the costs of the group’s concealed carry training courses.

The courses that typically cost more than $100 are now being offered free of charge to any and all interested members of the local LGBT community.

“We are lucky to have this program,” Martin said. “The knowledge is not going to be harmful to you.”

Martin added that there is no “end date” to the training offer and that she, and the rest of the Pink Pistols coalition, “will [continue to] hold classes for who ever is interested.”

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