gunsmith
member
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/8087442p-9019878c.html
Taking aim at stereotypes
Deanna Sykes holds a doctorate degree, favors liberal philosophies and she's a lesbian. Pretty much a left-leaning politician's dream vote.
Except for the .45-caliber pistol she owns.
"The world is not as black and white as it seems," she said, grinning at her seemingly dichotomous persona.
The 41-year-old Sacramento woman came out of the closet about her gun ownership last year after she discovered there were other gays and lesbians who, like her, frequent shooting ranges and are card-carrying members of the National Rifle Association.
"I was surprised to find out how many people are interested," Sykes said
She came across enough local interest to found the Sacramento chapter of the 3-year-old Pink Pistols, a club started by a Boston man who was inspired in 2000 by a Web site article on Salon.com.
In the article, journalist Jonathan Rauch questions the effectiveness of hate crime laws in curbing brutal attacks on gays and lesbians. Without abandoning legislative change and advocacy, he calls upon gays and lesbians in the 31 states that allow concealed weapons to arm themselves, form "Pink Pistol task forces" -- and make sure everyone knows it.
"Part of the mission is to make sure we aren't perceived as victims," said Sykes, who does behavioral research in the state Office of AIDS.
No part of it involves vigilantism, she said: "Defending yourself is not the same as attacking someone."
She has not been threatened or attacked, nor is she paralyzed by fear.
Slight, but sturdy, Sykes cuts a confident figure on a shooting range in Sacramento County. She is patient as she instructs novices and skillful when she faces the target.
She grew up learning her way around guns, but some members are strictly newcomers, drawn for specific reasons. Like the man who lives guardedly in a small town who came to a meeting, toting a gun he just purchased, seeking instructions.
Sykes, like Rauch, believes the real benefit is promoting the image of gays and lesbians who pack heat, which should give would-be attackers pause.
"It makes a lot of people do a double-take and realize a lot of their stereotypes are just wrong," said Doug Krick, the Boston founder.
Statistics appear to bear out the principal fear of members. Numbers compiled by the California attorney general's office show that among the 24 categories of hate crimes, attacks on gay men consistently rank second only to attacks on African Americans.
In the past few years, California law enforcement reported between 300 to 350 incidents annually against gay men and 50 to 60 against lesbians. Most of the incidents involve intimidation and assaults.
In Sacramento, anywhere from a dozen to 15 members of the Pink Pistols -- the typical active club size -- gather regularly at shooting ranges to practice, learn and teach others, Sykes said. At least 35 people keep up with the club through a mailing list.
Owners and operators of ranges have extended their hospitality, offering instructional services or other support, Sykes said.
Intentionally informal, with no dues, the Pink Pistols began in Boston as a social get-together for people with similar interests, but a mention in a national magazine helped propel the club into 38 chapters and a political force that is filing legal briefs on gun issues and consulting with lawmakers.
Now orders pour in for T-shirts and caps with the club's logo of pink lettering against a black background. Late-night talk show host Jay Leno cracks Pink Pistol jokes.
Besides the Leno mention, the most startling notice for Krick was a call from the Library of Congress, gathering information to list him as a potential witness to testify before Congress.
"We were just going out and having fun, but our mere existence has created enough of a splash to where, you know, we can do some good here," said Krick, who is a technician for a dot-com company. "It makes legislators realize the laws affect a wide range of people and not just 'Bubba' and his gun rack."
Though the group now finds itself A-listed by the NRA, traditionally supportive groups now blacklist it, Krick said.
"We don't get notified when the Gay Pride parade is organizing," he said.
The Pink Pistols underscores the diversity of the gay community, said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington, D.C. But he doubts the main premise.
"It's not going to deter gay bashers who are rarely rational thinkers. Statistically speaking, they usually act in gangs, and on impulse, and they're fueled by alcohol and drugs," Foreman said.
"The first line of defense in anti-gay violence is ending the stereotype and lies and distortions about gay people that permeates American culture," he said.
The executive director of the local civil rights commission also isn't convinced about the Pink Pistols image mission.
"If you take an aggressive stance, you could send the wrong message to people," said Barbara Lehman, executive director of the Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission of Sacramento.
Sykes still firmly believes in working through administrative means and through public awareness to curb anti-gay violence, and insists on it as part of the club's agenda.
Sykes is clear on her message.
"Education is important," she said. "But in the meantime, I want to defend myself."
Deanna Sykes holds a doctorate degree, favors liberal philosophies and she's a lesbian. Pretty much a left-leaning politician's dream vote.
Except for the .45-caliber pistol she owns.
"The world is not as black and white as it seems," she said, grinning at her seemingly dichotomous persona.
The 41-year-old Sacramento woman came out of the closet about her gun ownership last year after she discovered there were other gays and lesbians who, like her, frequent shooting ranges and are card-carrying members of the National Rifle Association.
"I was surprised to find out how many people are interested," Sykes said
She came across enough local interest to found the Sacramento chapter of the 3-year-old Pink Pistols, a club started by a Boston man who was inspired in 2000 by a Web site article on Salon.com.
In the article, journalist Jonathan Rauch questions the effectiveness of hate crime laws in curbing brutal attacks on gays and lesbians. Without abandoning legislative change and advocacy, he calls upon gays and lesbians in the 31 states that allow concealed weapons to arm themselves, form "Pink Pistol task forces" -- and make sure everyone knows it.
"Part of the mission is to make sure we aren't perceived as victims," said Sykes, who does behavioral research in the state Office of AIDS.
No part of it involves vigilantism, she said: "Defending yourself is not the same as attacking someone."
She has not been threatened or attacked, nor is she paralyzed by fear.
Slight, but sturdy, Sykes cuts a confident figure on a shooting range in Sacramento County. She is patient as she instructs novices and skillful when she faces the target.
She grew up learning her way around guns, but some members are strictly newcomers, drawn for specific reasons. Like the man who lives guardedly in a small town who came to a meeting, toting a gun he just purchased, seeking instructions.
Sykes, like Rauch, believes the real benefit is promoting the image of gays and lesbians who pack heat, which should give would-be attackers pause.
"It makes a lot of people do a double-take and realize a lot of their stereotypes are just wrong," said Doug Krick, the Boston founder.
Statistics appear to bear out the principal fear of members. Numbers compiled by the California attorney general's office show that among the 24 categories of hate crimes, attacks on gay men consistently rank second only to attacks on African Americans.
In the past few years, California law enforcement reported between 300 to 350 incidents annually against gay men and 50 to 60 against lesbians. Most of the incidents involve intimidation and assaults.
In Sacramento, anywhere from a dozen to 15 members of the Pink Pistols -- the typical active club size -- gather regularly at shooting ranges to practice, learn and teach others, Sykes said. At least 35 people keep up with the club through a mailing list.
Owners and operators of ranges have extended their hospitality, offering instructional services or other support, Sykes said.
Intentionally informal, with no dues, the Pink Pistols began in Boston as a social get-together for people with similar interests, but a mention in a national magazine helped propel the club into 38 chapters and a political force that is filing legal briefs on gun issues and consulting with lawmakers.
Now orders pour in for T-shirts and caps with the club's logo of pink lettering against a black background. Late-night talk show host Jay Leno cracks Pink Pistol jokes.
Besides the Leno mention, the most startling notice for Krick was a call from the Library of Congress, gathering information to list him as a potential witness to testify before Congress.
"We were just going out and having fun, but our mere existence has created enough of a splash to where, you know, we can do some good here," said Krick, who is a technician for a dot-com company. "It makes legislators realize the laws affect a wide range of people and not just 'Bubba' and his gun rack."
Though the group now finds itself A-listed by the NRA, traditionally supportive groups now blacklist it, Krick said.
"We don't get notified when the Gay Pride parade is organizing," he said.
The Pink Pistols underscores the diversity of the gay community, said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington, D.C. But he doubts the main premise.
"It's not going to deter gay bashers who are rarely rational thinkers. Statistically speaking, they usually act in gangs, and on impulse, and they're fueled by alcohol and drugs," Foreman said.
"The first line of defense in anti-gay violence is ending the stereotype and lies and distortions about gay people that permeates American culture," he said.
The executive director of the local civil rights commission also isn't convinced about the Pink Pistols image mission.
"If you take an aggressive stance, you could send the wrong message to people," said Barbara Lehman, executive director of the Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission of Sacramento.
Sykes still firmly believes in working through administrative means and through public awareness to curb anti-gay violence, and insists on it as part of the club's agenda.
Sykes is clear on her message.
"Education is important," she said. "But in the meantime, I want to defend myself."
, I'm all for it. 
