In the anti-gun political climate of California, residents are stepping up their quest to own weapons and learn how to use them.
Despite polls that say otherwise, firearms instructor Brandi Joseph offers proof that women want guns to protect themselves against America’s escalating violence and are attending classes to hone their shooting skills. These are women of all races and political parties — especially Democrats.
“The majority of people I know in my life are Democrats, and I do not know any who do not own guns,” said Joseph, the owner of Fortune Firearms shooting range. “What has started now is an increase of women getting involved. The majority of my clients are women.”
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Fortune Firearms shooting range.jpegJoseph has had approximately 500 people since December visit her shooting range in the rural city of Hemet, 90 miles south of Los Angeles. Most attend her firearms classes, saying an increase in violence during the past several years has brought them to this point.
Violent crime in California has risen 11% over the past dozen years. The 2021 California Attorney General crime report stated that 313 out of every 100,000 people were violently assaulted, while another six were murdered.
Joseph, a moderate Democrat, has owned a gun for 20 years after going through a traumatic divorce, during which she feared for her safety. She obtained a restraining order but knew that wouldn’t protect her like owning a gun could.
Brandi Joseph firearms instructor.JPG“A restraining order is a piece of paper that doesn’t do anything — it’s a joke,” she said.
Now, she is seeing women in a similar situation: getting out of relationships and having a gun but not knowing how to use it. Many of her other clients are high-level professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and business owners who carry valuables.
Californians watched violence play out across the nation after the death of George Floyd and during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and it was shocking, Joseph said. She added that the rhetoric in Congress and by state government officials against gun ownership is not how people really feel.
“We are seeing people walking into a restaurant and robbing a family in broad daylight,” Joseph said. “I want to protect myself with all the looting and the guys who want to overthrow my government. The world is changing, and it’s scary.”
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A July YouGovAmerica poll revealed that 54% of Americans want stricter gun control laws, with 81% of Democrats agreeing with this and only 27% of Republicans. Seventy percent of Democrats are against carrying a concealed weapon, while 77% of Republicans are in favor of it.
A CBS News poll from May showed that 60% of women vs. 46% of men supported stricter gun laws.
This isn’t what Joseph is seeing on her shooting range, because liberals are private about their gun ownership, while conservatives are “loud and proud,” she says.
“Liberals’ firearms are more of a private matter for them,” she said. “Every politician is out of touch with us.”
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She pointed to California’s attempt to curtail concealed weapons permits, a law that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in June. A subsequent attempt to pass additional legislation has failed. The state also has a ban on high-capacity magazines.
“It’s against our Second Amendment,” Joseph said. “I applied for a permit because I am a dealer and sell [weapons] out of state and to law enforcement.”
