by Thomas Reiner, Quartz Mountain Commentary, ©2026
(Apr. 9, 2026) — The Devil exists but we’ll get to that later. Jewish people come in all shapes and sizes, but too many have a cultural aversion to firearms. I grew up on the North Shore of Lonng Island in New York during the Sixties. Being the only non-Jewish and non-Catholic kid on the block was weird, but luckily just being a kid was enough. In fifth grade, I played tackle football with my Jewish buddies which gave me an inkling that Jews are tough, as I repeatedly found the ground during play. Our head football tackler and my buddy was Craig Russell who was Jewish. I look back and wonder if Craig has become a retired orthodontist with a healthy love for guns stemming from the toughness of his youth.
My wife is Jewish and she hails from New York City in Brooklyn, Forest Hills, as well as Miami, Florida. It doesn’t get any better than that to grow up Jewish. She fell in love with firearms even as she was falling in love with me. Her introduction to guns was at a gun range in San Jose on a hot summer day while sporting only a bikini, head gear and a 9mm. I suspect a young Quentin Tarantino might have been present inspiring his future “Chicks Who Dig Guns” movie clip in “Jackie Brown.” If she learned to shed her fear of firearms, so can anyone.
Jewish respect for guns is not an anomaly. Jews have fought in every American war using guns. My wife’s uncle fought in WWII as a medic in Guadalcanal. He grew up Jewish in the tough side of Brooklyn. Talk about tough, his mom once shooed away the head of Murder, Inc. from her candy store with a broom for being rude. This murderer begged to be permitted to return to her store. I first met Uncle Sandy at our wedding reception when he pulled me aside and proudly said, “You want to see my guns?” My enthusiastic assent led to a lifetime of love and friendship.
The moral of these tales is that Jews and guns go together like bagels and lox. However, we are living in troubled times with the reemergence of antisemitism, which has plagued humanity throughout history. Attacks on Jews are growing just like what happened in Germany between 1933 and 1939. Synagogues are being burned. The attack on the West Bloomfield, Michigan synagogue weeks ago had 140 children inside who were miraculously spared from the flames. Whenever a Jew is murdered, there is a call for gun control by the Left instead of a demand for justice. Hatred is growing where England and France are already lost causes.
The Devil exists, or at least the Spirit of the Devil. Many Jews think they can make the Devil disappear through logic and reason. It won’t and even silence will only make its evil fester. The closest thing to Satan today is Zohran Mamdani who is now the elected Mayor of New York City, inexplicably supported by many Jews at election time. Their appeasement continues to make headlines as Jews are attacked without consequences. His shape-shifting countenance has transformed from a devilish smile before his election to a hate-enraged, Jew-hating scowl. He and his wife are openly antisemitic, and it is best to believe his words before it is once again too late. It is too bad we didn’t believe the words of that guy in Germany long ago and take action to prevent the Holocaust..
Enter “Lox and LoadedTM”, a growing organization of 40 nationwide chapters spread across 21 states. Its goal is teaching Jews the respect, legalities, protection and responsibilities that firearms afford. Their goal is to turn October 6 Jews into October 8 Jews. October 7 taught the Jewish people that the cavalry is not coming to save you. Your responsibility is to learn how to protect your family and yourself.
From their mission statement at loxandloaded.org: “We are not aligned with any political party or political movement. Our focus is not partisan; it is communal. We exist for the Jewish community and our allies who believe in lawful, responsible preparedness and the importance of standing together.”
“Our foundation is simple: safety, responsibility, and unity.”
The really good news is that Lox and Loaded has a Prescott chapter. Recently, thirty interested participants met to learn about the organization. If you have an interest, contact the above link to learn more. Lox and Loaded would love to meet you.
In the thirties, German Jews thought that the growing insanity would go away. It didn’t, and it won’t go away here as more Congressmen shed their support of Israel as their fear of Biden’s Illegal Army gains the Vote to Destroy America while committing antisemitic attacks. Politicians will never stand up, so you must. Our Founding Fathers gave us the Second Amendment, so use it or lose it.