Queer Americans Increasingly Arming Themselves Amid Political Threats

As anti-LGBTQ+ violence and right-wing extremism rise, some in the community are turning to guns for self-defense.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In the shadow of Donald Trump's second term in office, and amid the clear threat and increasing reality of political violence, some queer friends are learning to handle firearms, purchasing new weapons, or researching rifles for defense. Discords and subreddits for queer and trans gun enthusiasts have boomed, especially as anti-LGBTQ+ violence has proliferated. This shift in rhetoric has stoked anti-trans animosity from some conservatives, who have spread rumors about the prevalence of trans killers.

Why it matters

The rise in LGBTQ+ firearm ownership highlights growing concerns about political violence and the erosion of rights for marginalized communities under the Trump administration. It reflects a loss of faith in democratic institutions to protect vulnerable groups, leading some to seek personal means of self-defense.

The details

The author, a self-described lifelong opponent of guns, has reluctantly purchased a handgun and learned to use it, driven by a sense of unease about the political climate. They describe the discomfort of handling firearms, but also an exhilaration at the power they hold. The author has witnessed a shift in their social circles, with more LGBTQ+ people seeking firearms training and purchasing weapons for self-protection.

  • In 2024, hate crimes targeting trans people were up 31% from 2021, and those targeting gay and bisexual people were up 14%.
  • In May 2022, in response to the news that the Supreme Court was planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, Chelsea Manning issued a call for LGBTQ+ people to consider arming themselves.
  • After a transgender woman killed two children and injured many more at a Minneapolis Catholic church last year, the Department of Justice began looking into ways to curtail trans Americans' right to own firearms.

The players

Chelsea Manning

A famous trans woman in the U.S. who issued a call for LGBTQ+ people to consider arming themselves in response to the news that the Supreme Court was planning to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Roxanna

A lesbian who keeps a safe filled with firearms in her home just across the Maryland border, and has become a resource for queer friends seeking advice on emergency preparedness.

Shane

A transfeminine and nonbinary friend who has purchased a 3D printer specifically chosen for its ability to make filaments that can be used to build a gun, just in case the political situation gets worse.

Wayne Lerch

The 67-year-old co-founder of the D.C. and Maryland chapter of the Pink Pistols, an LGBTQ+ shooting group that has seen a surge in membership since Trump's reelection.

Richard M. Fierro

A 45-year-old Army veteran who tackled, disarmed, and restrained a shooter at a 2023 attack on a drag show in Colorado Springs, likely saving lives in the process.

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What’s next

The Department of Justice is looking into ways to curtail trans Americans' right to own firearms in response to a 2024 attack by a transgender woman in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

The rise in LGBTQ+ gun ownership reflects a loss of faith in democratic institutions to protect vulnerable groups, leading some to seek personal means of self-defense. However, this trend also raises concerns about the risks of increased gun violence and suicide within the community.