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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US - JEWS AND GUNS
HEADLINE: Jewish American Gun Club Sees Spike in Interest
TEASER: October 7 attack, rise in antisemitism fueling fears
PUBLISHED AT: 11/30/23, 11:30a
BYLINE: Genia Dulot
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Orange, California
VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:18
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR PKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
[[((INTRO:)) In Southern California, a gun club for Jewish Americans is attracting new members following the October 7 attack in Israel and an increase in antisemitism in the United States. Genia Dulot has our story.
((NARRATION))
Jewish American artist Norma is a vegetarian who opposes killing animals and never imagined owning a gun.
At this shooting range in the city of Orange, she asked that we not use her last name because she says she doesn’t feel safe following the attack in Israel on October 7.
((Norma, Artist))
“I am a very non-violent person. I don’t even kill bugs. But I feel very strongly that we are being targeted worldwide, and that’s very scary to me. I’ve never been in this position before, and I feel like I want to be ready for whatever is going to happen.”
((NARRATOR))
Norma was one of 60 people who attended an event organized by the Southern California Jewish gun club Bullets and Bagels.
Member Deby Goodman says there are a lot of newcomers since October 7.
((Deby Goodman, Bullets and Bagels Member))
“We are ultimately responsible for our own safety and for the safety of our loved ones, and better that we should know how to provide that safety ahead of time than to have a crisis come up and be waiting for someone to come rescue us, because that rescue may not come, like it didn’t come for those in the Gaza envelope.”
((NARRATOR))
At this meeting, there was basic gun training for beginners and a shooting session using .22 caliber Glock 44’s.
Peter Schumacher, the owner of a gun shop Evan’s Gun World, says he offered to host the event because more Jewish customers say they are concerned about safety.
((Peter Schumacher, Evan’s Gun World Owner))
“Then, seeing an increase of Jewish community coming to shoot because they were fearful of their lives for what happened there, and then the antisemitic rhetoric and events that started to occur here, I saw an opportunity that we had here, halfway across the globe, that we could help.”
(( For radio: Deby Goodman says the attack by Hamas in Israel prompted some new members over the line from interest to taking action. ))
((Deby Goodman, Bullets and Bagels Member))
“We were constantly getting calls from people who were hesitant before about owning a gun or wanting to learn to shoot, and now they are saying: ‘Ok, it’s time. I am convinced. I need to learn to shoot.’”
((NARRATOR))
Rachelle Markovich comes from a liberal, anti-gun family. Today, she lives alone and wants to know how to use a gun.
((Rachelle Markovich, Jewish American))
“And my family on the East Coast still is very, very liberal and anti-guns. When I said I was coming to do this tonight, they just turned their noses up. I said: ‘Well, I want to be able to protect myself.’”
((NARRATOR))
Many atypical gun owners express greater interest in arming themselves when they feel threatened, says the Firearm Industry Trade Association.
((Courtesy: Mark Oliva))
Its spokesman Mark Oliva points to the provision
((End Courtesy))
in the U.S. Constitution protecting private gun ownership.
((Mark Oliva, The Firearm Industry Trade Association)) ((Courtesy: Skype))
“Whether that be an American who is of Muslim faith, American of Jewish faith, American of Christian faith, of Hindu faith, the Second Amendment is there for you to be able to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
((NARRATOR))
Most of the people at this event said they will be back for more shooting.
((Genia Dulot, VOA News, Orange, California))
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