In Los Angeles, Jewish Americans and Israelis are taking serious steps to protect themselves as antisemitic attacks rise sharply.

Eric Fletcher, a manager at Burbank Ammo and Guns, told TMZ that his store has seen “a huge influx of Jewish Americans and Israelis who are buying guns for the first time.”

This isn’t just a handful of people.

It’s a significant trend.

Fletcher said that just this month, the store handled 194 tests for firearm safety certificates.

That’s up from just 45 in October 2022.

The tests are a must for anyone buying a gun for the first time, which means these aren’t seasoned gun owners adding to their collections.

Astonishingly, Fletcher estimates that about 75% of these first-time buyers are Jewish Americans or Israelis.

Notably, many of these first-time buyers are women, and sometimes entire families are showing up at the store to buy guns.

It’s not just about individual protection; it’s about families taking steps to ensure their collective safety.

Handguns are the top choice, so much so that the store is struggling to keep them in stock.

Why is this happening?

The Anti-Defamation League, a group that tracks hate crimes, says that antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have jumped almost 400% since the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas began.

While that war is happening thousands of miles away, its impact is clearly being felt in American communities.

For some, the idea of communities feeling the need to arm themselves might be unsettling.

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But from another viewpoint, it’s also an example of Americans exercising their Constitutional rights to protect their lives and freedoms.

After all, the right to self-defense is as American as apple pie.

Still, it’s a sign of the times that should give us all pause.

A community should not have to arm itself to feel safe in America.

While buying a gun might provide a sense of security, it also speaks volumes about the societal issues that need to be addressed.

It’s a clear call that more needs to be done to make sure all citizens, regardless of their background, feel safe and protected.

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