These are facts:
The vast majority of American Jews are Left, with some 70% voting Democratic.
And the vast majority of American Democrats are for gun control, the tighter the better.
I am a moderate Democratic gun-owner and take a small measure of satisfaction in reports, such as this one from CNN, that a growing number of American Jews are lining up to buy firearms and receive instruction.
Even more so, in Democrat heavy South Florida.
Even more delicious is that many of these Jews are older, who have hated guns their entire lives and who moved to Florida to retire. Most hate Gov. Ron DeSantis, but some (they won’t admit it) are happy he has made it easier for them to buy a firearm.
This is not the first time Jews have gone on a gun-buying spree. I reported a similar effect in 2019, a year after the massacre of 11 Jews worshiping at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Feeling threatened leads to gun ownership for some.
A poll conducted last week by the Jewish Federations of North America found Jews were roughly twice as likely as non-Jewish people to say they’ve been worried about their safety in the past month, according to data shared with CNN.
Gun ownership among Jews was, and is, low.
Is this just political leaning, I wondered?
Turns out the disdain for guns is rooted in Judaism itself.
What?
The historical antipathy towards guns was explained to me by Rabbi Bob Alper, which I related in a previous column.
Jews never went hunting, he told me.
“Because they were prohibited from having guns?” I asked.
“Not so much that,” he said.
In the old days, all Jews were Orthodox, he said. Any flesh they ate had to be slaughtered according to strict dietary laws. Anything killed with a gun was not kosher, and couldn’t be eaten. So why hunt — for exercise?
In the old days, life was exercise. All days were long and hard for the majority.
Back to today: Sorry, but I can’t resist this observation.
The liberal, gun-hating, Jews got a whole different perspective when they felt threatened. Principle bows to practicality.
Welcome to the company of Second Amendment supporters.
I don’t own a gun but I’m a strong supporter of the second amendment. I don’t understand why anyone would vote for the democrats after the last couple of decades. I’m a traditional American who believes in accountability and self reliance. I tell people I’m American I don’t use my ethnic background. And I wish everyone would do the same. The democrats are dividing us and causing a lot of hatred. We have reached equality in this country, now they are pushing equity. They say are biggest enemy is white supremacist. There are some who believe white people are born racist. We have are problems in this country but this identity politics has gotten out of hand. The democrats are dividing us and destroying this country.
I am, like Daniel, not a gun owner and a supporter of the second amendment. Where we diverge is I don’t understand why anyone would vote for republicans after the last 15 years or so. I too believe in accountability and self-reliance. The republicans are dividing this country like it hasn’t been since the Civil War. They are the greatest ally of white supremacists. I agree that identity politics has gotten out of hand. Republicans are in fact the ones dividing and destroying our country. See, we agree, we disagree? Now, let’s eat!
I don’t think you will find many republicans marching thru our cities and college campuses asking for the extermination of Israel and the Jewish people. They are a majority democrats.
How about “Jews will not replace us” by the neo-Nazis in Charlotteville?
Forget that?
With that said, I believe the current anti-Semitism is more on the Left, especially the far Left.
There are very few neo nazis compared to the democratic anti- semites.
I agree there are more anti-Semites on the Left. Worse, they have more power because they infest hugher education.
Mark, I nave NEVER heard a Democrat campaign on accountability and self reliance.
Just the OPPOSITE. “Root causes,” (too much) cashless bail, no prosecution of many crimes, the safety net that may have gotten out of control.
I think every qualified person who wants a gu should be able to get a gun, AFTER safety and legality training, and no person should be forced to get a gun.
Another good reason not to vote for democrats.Stu we agree on most things. You just have a bad case of Trump derangement syndrome.
Would someone with TDS say he was right on the border, and also this, just a few days ago:
“ In my opinion, Trump also deserves credit for Operation Warp Speed, the Abrahamic accords, the Space Force, record low unemployment, improved services to veterans, legislation raising penalties for animal cruelty, America becoming an energy exporter, and five openly gay ambassadors.”
The answer is NO. You can’t comprehend my issues with Trump are based on merit and reality. You still think the election was stolen. Your lack of reason is why I have contempt for you. You lack knowledge, reason and logic.
I never said the election was stolen.my argument with you is you praise Trump for his many accomplishments. You know Biden is a screw up. But you will vote for Biden. Your TDS is personal. It is so obvious that you and most people with TDS don’t object to his policies you just hate the man. And you will vote for the democrats and destroy this country because of your hatred.
I apologize for calling you names.
I must learn to be sympathetic to retards.
Oh! I can’t say “retards.” I meant mentally challenged.
I will have nothing more to say to you.
If you read what you said to me today it could be a campaign ad for Trumps re-election. You agree with me but your hatred is not allowing you to think straight.
Look up “logic” and are-read what you wrote.
When you can’t win a argument simple minds go back to name calling. Just remember that these Muslim terrorist hate Americans as much or more than they hate Jews. And the Jack ass your going to vote for Biden and his socialist democrats have let millions of illegals cross our border. They have caught dozens of people who are on the terrorist list. There are also hundreds of thousands of illegals we have know idea where they are. The FBI knows there’s a threat and let’s hope they can stop them before we have people killed like they did in Israel. Who really feels safe anymore. Our democratic cities are drug filled killing fields the whole world is worrying about nuclear annihilation. All because of Biden and the democrats. What a difference 3 years make.
Governments have always been the worst enemy of Jews. (For examples, start with the Bible and end with today’s news.) Which causes me to wonder why Jews only now are arming. Better late than never.
(Old joke: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”)
Living in South Florida and having carried a gun most of my life, I am asked a lot ,which gun should I buy? I always say, Fisrt learn how to use it, before you buy it. Quite a few say “I’m in danger and should have it now” Well if you kill somebody, whether it be a friend, a spouse or yourself without learning to use it. You have much bigger problems. Use common sense.
🎯
Your truly gifted brother Stu
Ya know, there is a perceived notion that most liberals are anti-gun. I totally dispute this. I am about as left as you can get. I have NO issues with anyone (well, anyone sane without a history of violence or abuse) owning a gun if they feel they need one for protection or for hunting. Although a) statistics say that your sense of security in having a gun is likely a myth and b) hunting with a bow is much more fair, and likely more fun, too. Anyway, have at it. What I DO have a huge problem with is the idiots insisting they “need” a gun that can shoot a zillion armor-piercing rounds or whatever in 10 seconds. The vast majority of gun control legislation proposed — and shot down by NRA-financed asshats — is common-sense stuff that even most members of the NRA favor. NOBODY IS TRYING TO TAKE YOUR GODDAMNED GUNS, YA GENIUSES. We simply want to keep weapons of war out of the hands of jackals and crazy people who would use them to murder people, maybe even people like YOU. Is that REALLY too much to ask??
The “perception” that Democrats are “anti-gun” is based on reality. In broad strokes the Left is for “gun control,” the Right says the Second Amendment prohibits most control. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_the_United_States#:~:text=Though%20gun%20control%20is%20not,is%20outspokenly%20against%20gun%20control.